Thrombolytic therapy for a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and acute myocardial infarction

A young patient with systemic lupus erythematosus was admitted to our hospital because of acute myocardial infarction, and treated by thrombolysis. Coronary angiography revealed a significant stenosis of the left anterior descending artery, together with an intraluminal thrombus. Clotting studies demonstrated an anticoagulant factor suggestive of lupus erythematosus. We conclude that thrombolytic therapy can be useful in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who present with acute myocardial infarction, although some caution is needed in treatment.     

Coronary artery disease in systemic lupus erythematosus: A review of the literature

CONTEXT: Coronary artery occlusive disease is a common though underappreciated complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), typically a disease of young women. A case of a premenopausal patient with SLE and an acute myocardial infarction is presented, and the etiology and management of coronary artery disease in SLE reviewed. OBJECTIVES: To review the incidence, risk factors, pathology and treatment of coronary artery disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE search of articles in English-language journals from 1980 to 2000. The index words "systemic lupus erythematosus" and the following co-indexing terms were used: "coronary artery disease," "atherosclerosis," "vasculitis," "anticardiolipin antibodies," "antiphospholipid syndrome." SELECTION SYNTHESIS AND ABSTRACTION: Papers identified were reviewed and abstracted by the authors with a presentation of a summary. RESULTS: The prevalence of coronary artery disease among women with SLE between the ages of 35 and 44 years is at least 50-fold greater than among age-matched control subjects. Of these, coronary atherosclerosis accounts for the vast majority of cases; vasculitis of the coronary arteries and other causes generally believed to be more typical of SLE are comparatively rare. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that SLE is a significant risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis independent of the classic risk factors of hypertension, tobacco use, and hyperlipidemia.     

Coronary arteritis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Acute myocardial infarction in systemic lupus erythematosus may be due to an atheromatous or arteritic process. Confirmation of the latter etiology has previously been made only at postmortem examination. A 45-year-old white woman with known systemic lupus erythematosus developed anginal pain and multiple episodes of acute myocardial infarction. During this period, there was serologic but no other clinical evidence of active systemic lupus erythematosus. Serial coronary angiographic studies were strongly suggestive of an arteritic process based upon (1) a saccular aneurysm with no obstructive lesions in a coronary artery supplying an area of recent transmural myocardial infarction and (2) the development of significant obstructive lesions in a previously normal coronary artery over a period of 18 days. This case illustrates the difficulties in distinguishing between atherosclerosis and arteritis using a single coronary angiographic study. The distinction is significant because of the different therapeutic interventions required.     

Acute myocardial infarction associated with systemic lupus erythematosus documented by coronary arteriograms

A 19-year-old man with untreated systemic lupus erythematosus had an acute myocardial infarction. A coronary arteriogram five hours after the onset of symptoms revealed total occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Reperfusion was achieved by coronary thrombolytic therapy with urokinase. Four weeks later, a coronary arteriogram showed only minimal luminal irregularities at the original site of occlusion, where significant reduction in diameter could be induced by ergonovine maleate. This case suggests that coronary arterial involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus may be related to coronary arterial spasm.     

Myocardial perfusion abnormalities in asymptomatic patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Accelerated coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in young patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is well documented; however, the prevalence of coronary involvement is unknown. Accordingly, 26 patients with systemic lupus were selected irrespective of previous cardiac history to undergo exercise thallium-201 cardiac scintigraphy. Segmental perfusion abnormalities were present in 10 of the 26 studies (38.5 percent). Five patients had reversible defects suggesting ischemia, four patients had persistent defects consistent with scar, and one patient had both reversible and persistent defects in two areas. There was no correlation between positive thallium results and duration of disease, amount of corticosteroid treatment, major organ system involvement or age. Only a history of pericarditis appeared to be associated with positive thallium-201 results (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that segmental myocardial perfusion abnormalities are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Whether this reflects large-vessel coronary disease or small-vessel abnormalities remains to be determined.     

Atteinte coronarienne et syndrome néphrotique au cours du lupus systémique : à propos d’une observation

IntroductionHeart failure during systemic lupus erythematosus has various causes.Case reportA 29-year-old female presented with a systemic lupus flare and a nephrotic syndrome, followed by cardiogenic shock requiring extra-corporeal membranous oxygenation. Ventricular dysfunction was related to massive myocardial infarction due to an anterior interventricular artery thrombosis and an underlying atheroma. The young age and the absence of chest pain were not suggestive of coronary artery disease initially. Coronary thrombosis was probably favored by the nephrotic syndrome, in which the arterial thrombotic risk is increased.ConclusionCoronary artery disease should be systematically evoked in the presence of ventricular dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus, including when they are young and in the absence of chest pain. Nephrotic syndrome should be identified as a risk factor for arterial thrombosis.     

Myocardial infarction secondary to premature coronary artery disease as the initial major manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

A 32-year-old woman admitted to the emergency department was diagnosed with acute anterior myocardial infarction, treated with thrombolytics and referred for angiography on the basis of her age. The patient was then referred for angioplasty with the diagnosis of an atherosclerotic lesion in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Successful treatment of the lesion by primary stenting ensued. Laboratory findings revealed a state of hypercoagulability as well as some collagen fibre disease. The final diagnosis, confirmed by a rheumatologist, was systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with premature atherosclerosis of the LAD in addition to hypercoagulability. A Medline search of the literature revealed limited previous reports of myocardial infarction due to premature coronary artery disease as the first manifestation in SLE.     

Unusual coronary artery aneurysm and acute myocardial infarction in a middle-aged man with systemic lupus erythematosus

A 55-year-old man developed acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related to a large coronary artery aneurysm and a distal coronary stenotic lesion after steroid therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Only 13 SLE patients with AMI caused by coronary artery aneurysms have been reported, 11 of whom were young or middle-aged women and the 2 remaining were young men. This is the first report of a middle-aged man with multiple coronary lesions.     

Peripheral vascular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may develop premature atherosclerosis, notably coronary artery disease. A group of 10 patients with peripheral vascular disease presenting with intermittent claudication or gangrene were studied from a group of 563 patients followed prospectively at the Wellesley Hospital Lupus Clinic. These 10 patients were compared with the next lupus clinic patient matched for age and sex, with respect to demographic characteristics and risk factors. The patients and controls did not differ significantly in lupus activity criteria count, partial thromboplastin time, the number with antibody to cardiolipin, number receiving steroids or mean steroid dose, family history of atherosclerosis, hyperlipidaemia, smoking, hypertension or use of oral contraceptives. The risk factors for developing peripheral vascular disease were a longer duration of systemic lupus erythematosus and a longer duration of use of steroids. Eight of the 10 patients had coexistent coronary artery disease or transient ischaemic attack.     

Myocardial infarction due to coronary atherosclerosis in three young adults with systemic lupus erythematosus

Three patients, 24, 24 and 25 years of age, with systemic lupus erythematosus had signs of myocardial infarction. Two had serial electrocardiographic changes indicative of infarction without any cardiac symptoms. The third patient had clinical evidence of an acute massive myocardial infarction, which was proved at autopsy to be due to coronary atherosclerosis. This case is presented in detail and the association between systemic lupus erythematosus and myocardial infarction is reviewed. It is postulated that the relation between lupus erythematosus and coronary atherosclerosis is more than coincidental.     

Multiple coronary aneurysms in a case of systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 29-year-old woman with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sustained an anterior myocardial infarction and demonstrated angiographic evidence of multiple, diffuse coronary aneurysms. Coronary artery aneurysms have been reported in 11 prior cases of patients with SLE. A Medline search of the literature revealed no prior reports of extensive aneurysmal dilatations involving all three main coronary arteries (left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right coronary arteries).     

Coronary arteritis,occlusion, and myocardial infarction due to lupus erythematosus

Four women with clinically documented lupus erythematosus and symptomatic coronary artery disease are presented. One, age 16, had severe coronary arteritis, thrombosis, and an acute myocardial infarct documented by postmortem examination. Three other women, ages 27, 33, and 38, had angina pectoris. The 33-year-old patient also had had a probable myocardial infarct, and has persistent, complete left bundle branch block. Coronary artery angiograms demonstrated severe focal coronary artery stenosis and multiple obstructions in all cases. Coronary arteritis may be a serious and sometimes fatal consequence of lupus erythematosus.     

Cardiac rupture following acute myocardial infarction in systemic lupus erythematosus: case report

A thirty-three year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) suffered from acute myocardial infarction. Prednisolone 20 mg/day was used because the signs of SLE, such as fever and decreased serum C3, levels, became aggravated on the fifth hospital day of acute myocardial infarction. Fatal cardiac rupture occurred on the twenty-second hospital day. At autopsy, extensive myocardial infarction with coronary artery thrombi and diffuse coronary arteritis were revealed. The rare clinical picture of a fatal cardiac rupture in the later phase of acute myocardial infarction and the precise dosage of prednisolone for her SLE are described.     

Aortoarteritis with systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a rare association

A 41-year-old woman diagnosed with aortoarteritis since 1988 was admitted with unstable angina. She also had anemia, thrombocytopenia, aortic regurgitation and pulmonary artery hypertension. She gave a history of recurrent fetal loss and myocardial infarction, following which angioplasty to the left anterior descending artery had been done. After investigation, a diagnosis of aortoarteritis with systemic lupus erythematosus and associated antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was made. Aortoarteritis may coexist with systemic lupus erythematosus and associated antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.     

Multiple coronary aneurysms and acute myocardial infarction in a female patient with rhupus: case report and literature review

Clinical Rheumatology - Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are an infrequent cause of coronary artery disease in both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), most occurring...     

Heart disease in systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and management

Most patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus develop secondary heart disease at some time during the course of the primary illness. The most common forms of this type of heart disease are acute fibrinous pericarditis and hypertension. By means of echocardiography, an increased incidence of pericardial effusion has been demonstrated. Although commonly noted at autopsy, myocarditis is often clinically silent. However, endomyocardial biopsy may confirm its presence during life. Libman-Sacks endocarditis, although encountered in 40 to 50% of hearts at autopsy, is rarely diagnosed during life. When significant valve dysfunction such as aortic insufficiency or mitral regurgitation develops during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus, then Libman-Sacks endocarditis should be strongly suspected. Cardiac arrhythmias, first degree AV block, and acquired complete heart block may develop either de novo or in association with lupus pericarditis, myocarditis, vasculitis, etc. Complete congenital heart block has been reported in newborns of mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus, particularly those who have an antibody to a soluble tissue ribonucleoprotein antigen called RO(SS-A). Coronary arteritis and premature coronary atherosclerosis manifesting in either angina pectoris or myocardial infarction in young adults, particularly women suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus, have received attention recently. The development of hypertension and hyperlipidemia while such patients are receiving prolonged corticosteroid therapy has been incriminated as the significant risk factor in premature coronary atherosclerosis. Longstanding hypertension and congestive heart failure have unfavorable prognoses. This report is based on a cumulative review of 50 patients with acute and chronic systemic lupus erythematosus seen at our institution and in private practice during the last 10 years.     

Myocardial infarction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with normal findings from coronary arteriography and without coronary vasculitis--case reports

The authors present the cases of two young patients, a man and a woman, who presented with myocardial infarction, in the absence of ischemic heart disease or stenosis of the coronary arteries. The woman was known to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for the past 3 years (the immunoglobulin M [IgM] anticardiolipins antibodies were positive), without a history of coronary risk factors. Suddenly she presented with acute chest pain on rest that lasted 4 hours and culminated in anterior wall myocardial infarction. She was admitted to the coronary care unit, where no thrombolysis was given. She did not have echocardiographic evidence of Libman-Sacks endocarditis, but myocardial infarction was evident at the electrocardiogram (ECG). The young man had SLE (the IgM anticardiolipins were absent, but he was positive for lupus anticoagulant antibodies), he was hyperlipidemic, was a moderate smoker and moderately obese, and had no history of ischemic heart disease. He suddenly presented with an acute myocardial infarction documented by ECG, enzymes, and gammagraphy. In both patients, coronary angiography findings were normal and myocardial biopsy did not show evidence of arteritis. The relevance of these cases is the rare association of ischemic heart disease in SLE, with normal coronary arteries and without evidence of arteritis or verrucous endocarditis.     

狼疮患者冠心病的诊断、风险评估和治疗

冠心病是造成系统性红斑狼疮高发病率和高死亡率的主要原因,使用不同检查手段对狼疮患者冠心病进行诊断,全面评估狼疮患者的心血管危险因素以及对狼疮患者进行合理的治疗,可降低冠心病导致的病死率,提高系统性红斑狼疮患者的长期预后。现主要介绍有关狼疮患者冠心病的诊断、风险评估和治疗。     

The SLICC inception cohort for atherosclerosis

The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) is a group of rheumatologists and methodologists from 27 international centers who have a particular interest and expertise in systemic lupus erythematosus. Initially, its efforts focused on development and validation of disease activity and damage indices. In 2000, the SLICC Registry for Atherosclerosis was established to determine the incidence, prevalence, nature, and risk factors of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. Risk factors for coronary artery disease at presentation to the cohort were reported, as well as their accumulation over the first few years. Development of the metabolic syndrome was also described. Among the first 1078 patients who entered the cohort, 61 vascular events have occurred in 47 patients who were older at diagnosis and more likely male and hypertensive than were the patients without vascular events. Additional studies using this cohort are ongoing.     

Spontaneous dissection of coronary artery treated by primary stenting as the first presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus

A 39-year-old woman was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit; she was diagnosed with acute anterior myocardial infarction, treated with thrombolytics, and referred for elective coronary angiography on the basis of her age. At angiography, the operator referred the patient for angioplasty with the diagnosis of a long atherosclerotic lesion in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). On reviewing the angiogram, the interventionalist revised the initial diagnosis of an atherosclerotic lesion to a typical long spiral dissection of the LAD (spontaneous dissection). Successful treatment of the lesion by primary stenting ensued. Retrospective analysis of the laboratory findings revealed the presence of some collagen fiber disease. The final diagnosis, confirmed by renal biopsy, was systemic lupus erythematosus with secondary spontaneous dissection of the LAD.