Echocardiographic findings, lipids and lipoprotein(a) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Cardiac involvement, evaluated by echo-doppler-cardiography, occurred in 41 of 50 (82%) patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Valvular pathology with aortic cusp sclerosis was the most prevalent finding irrespective of age. This finding, suggestive of atherosclerotic heart disease, was supported by increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in these patients. There was no significant increase in Lp(a) in the whole patient group, but Lp(a) was raised in patients with proteinuria. Forty percent of the SLE patients had pericarditis. Twelve patients with hypertension and/or mitral regurgitation had increased dimensions of left ventricle, left atrium or interventricular septum while 15 of 50 patients had isolated increase of these parameters. Localized hypokinesia was found in nine patients. Reduced cardiac index was found in five patients with SLE. There was no association between valvular disease, increased pulmonary artery pressure, and anticardiolipin antibodies.