title: Premature atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a vasculitic disorder with potential for multisystem organ dysfunction. Among the organ systems affected is the cardiovascular system. Patients with SLE are prone to premature atherosclerosis; this premature atherosclerosis places the patient at risk for myocardial infarction with onset at a relatively young age. We present 4 patients with SLE who experienced myocardial infarction; these patients also experienced diagnostic and treatment delays because of their relatively young age at presentation. Relevant pathophysiology and diagnostic strategies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. amattu@smail.maryland.edu
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mattu
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petrini
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swencki
authors.forename: Chirag
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaudhari
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Brady
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome