Drug-naive, new-onset SLE patients, even those with inactive disease, are likely to have silent cardiac impairment, according to a new study by Guo et al. Cardiac involvement is the leading cause of death in patients with lupus, and the estimates of cardiac impairment in SLE range from 31–70%. Cardiac impairment can remain unrecognized until after autopsy. These researchers investigated the use of cardiac MRI to explore early warning signs of silent cardiac involvement in SLE and determine treatment timing…
Rheumatoid Arthritis May Confer Higher Cardiac & Infection Risks
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of serious infections, myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD), an analysis of Medicare claims data suggests. “Higher disease activity as measured by a panel of biomarkers was associated with higher rates of hospitalized infections, MI and CHD events. These findings add…
Cardiovascular Abnormalities Seen in Treatment-Naive RA Patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—A new study has identified myocardial and vascular abnormalities in patients with newly diagnosed, treatment-naive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). “The study suggests cardiac abnormalities already exist in newly diagnosed patients with RA,” senior author Dr. Maya Buch of the University of Leeds in the UK told Reuters Health by email. “Specifically, a reduction…
EULAR 2014: Cardiac Involvement in Rheumatic Diseases
Experts offer tips for treating, managing cardiac effects; using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients chronic inflammatory conditions
2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting: Diagnostic,Treatment Approaches Evolve for Kawasaki Disease
New data examine infliximab as a treatment option, and updated diagnostic criteria aids physicians in recognizing KD and detecting cardiac involvement in patients
The Heart-SCC Puzzle
Identifying and treating cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis can be a challenge