The role of preventive cardiology in systemic lupus erythematosus.
With improved therapeutic advances in the care of systemic lupus erythematosus patients, cardiovascular disease has emerged as a leading cause of death. Premature atherosclerosis in lupus patients is probably an interaction between traditional cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory factors, and factors related to lupus itself. Despite knowledge of this accelerated cardiac risk, evaluation of traditional risk factors has been sub-par. We propose that lupus patients be evaluated by preventive cardiologists and have access to their expertise and resources. In addition to nephrologists and dermatologists, preventive cardiologists should be an integral part of the care of patients with lupus.
Elliott
Jennifer Rae
JR
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, S727 Biomedical Sciences Tower, 3500 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. elliottjr@upmc.edu
Manzi
Susan
S
Edmundowicz
Daniel
D
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011315:Preventive Medicine