Cardiac manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The heart is one of the most frequently affected organs in SLE. Any part of the heart can be affected, including the pericardium, myocardium, coronary arteries, valves, and the conduction system. In addition to pericarditis and myocarditis, a high incidence of CAD has become increasingly recognized as a cause of mortality, especially in older adult patients and those with long-standing SLE. Many unanswered questions remain in terms of understanding the pathogenesis of cardiac manifestations of SLE. It is not currently possible to predict the patients who are at greatest risk for the various types of cardiac involvement. However, with the rapid advancement of basic science and translational research approaches, it is now becoming easier to identify specific mutations associated with SLE. A better understanding of these genetic factors may eventually allow clinicians to categorize and predict the patients who are at risk for specific cardiac manifestations of SLE.