Cardiovascular involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: An autopsy study of 27 patients in India
<b>Background: </b> Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is recognized as a leading cause of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in western countries, there is hardly any data regarding Indian subjects with SLE. <b> Aims:</b> To determine the incidenc...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2006-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Postgraduate Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2006;volume=52;issue=1;spage=5;epage=10;aulast=Panchal |
| Summary: | <b>Background: </b> Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is recognized as a leading cause of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in western countries, there is hardly any data regarding Indian subjects with SLE. <b> Aims:</b> To determine the incidence of cardiac abnormalities and vascular lesions at autopsy and to assess their contribution to the mortality in patients with SLE <b> Settings and Design:</b> Retrospective retrieval of reports of autopsies performed on 35 patients with SLE over a 11 year period and analysis of 27 cases with cardiac and/or vascular lesions. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> Gross and microscopic features in 27 autopsies were analyzed with special attention to the heart and the vasculature of all organs. Findings were correlated with clinical features and ante-mortem investigations. Their contribution towards mortality was assessed. <b> Results:</b> Valvar lesions were the commonest cardiac lesions noted with non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis in nine (33.33%), valvar thickening in two (7.41%), Libman-Sacks endocarditis and infective endocarditis in one (3.70%) each. Myocarditis and myocardial scarring were seen in 10 (37.03%) and seven (25.92%) cases, respectively. Fibrinous pericarditis was noted in seven (25.92%). Thromboses/ embolism, vasculitis and severe coronary atherosclerosis were seen in nine (33.33%), five (18.52%) and one (3.70%) subjects, respectively. Renal disease [13, 48.14%] and cardiovascular manifestations [8, 29.62%] were the leading causes of death in our patient population. <b> Conclusion:</b> CVD contributes significantly to the mortality in patients with SLE in India. It is second only to renal disease in this regard |
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| ISSN: | 0022-3859 0972-2823 |