title: [Echocardiographic analysis of changes in the heart in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].
abstract: Fifty-six patients, 49 females and 7 males, with the confirmed diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus were examined by M-mode, 2--D and Doppler echocardiography. Pericardial effusion was found in 15 patients (27%), while pericardial thickening was suspected in 6 additional patients (37.5% altogether). Two patients had the signs of a pericardial tamponade, but both of them were uraemic. Libman-Sacks endocarditis was suspected in 4 patients (7.5%) because of verrucous changes in the aortic or mitral valve and regurgitant jet. Slight to moderate left ventricular hypocontractility was present in 3 patients (5%), while 3 additional patients had borderline values of the left ventricular contractility parameters. Left ventricular hypertrophy, usually mild, was found in 21 patients (37.5%). Echocardiographic signs of pulmonary hypertension were present in 2 patients (3.6%). It has been concluded that pericardial affection is frequent during the course of systemic lupus erystematosus, while a diffuse myocardial involvement is rare, except the consequences of arterial hypertension and accelerated coronary atherosclerosis. Libman-Sacks endocarditis still represents a diagnostic problem. For a more precise definition of cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus, a comparative analysis of the disease activity and immunosuppressive therapy is needed.
authors.affiliation: Klinike za unutrasnje bolesti Medicinskog fakulteta i Klinickog bolnickog centra u Zagrebu.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smalcelj
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Durakovic
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cukusić
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bogdan
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grgić
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
vernacular_title: Ehokardiografska analiza promjena na srcu bolesnika sa sistemnim lupusom eritematodesom.