Myocardial tissue characterization in systemic lupus erythematosus: Value of a comprehensive cardiovascular magnetic resonance approach
Abdel-Aty H et al. - An imaging approach combining T2-weighted, early and late enhancement imaging is a useful tool to assess possible myocardial involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters correlate well with disease activity, but not with usual clinical signs as summarized in a cardiac score. Methods- Aim was to investigate the utility of a comprehensive CMR approach to assess myocardial involvement
- And also to determine its relation to disease activity in SLE pts
- 20 SLE pts and 13 healthy volunteers were enrolled
- Classification followed the criteria of ACR and European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement index
- CMR was performed on a 1.5T scanner and included the following sequences: steady-state free precession, T2-weighted, early and late T1-weighted after gadolinium-DTPA injection
Results- Ejection fraction was not different between groups
- In contrast, relative T2 ratio was higher in active SLE than in the other groups
- Similarly, early enhancement ratio was higher in active SLE
- Both relative T2 and early enhancement ratios correlated with disease activity
- Intramural foci of late enhancement were observed in 3/8 pts
- Of the 5 pts with no late enhancement, only 1 had active disease
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