title: Endothelial dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus: evaluation with 13N-ammonia PET.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects multiple organs and systems, severely involving the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of endothelial dysfunction with (13)N-ammonia PET in asymptomatic SLE patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 16 women with SLE and 16 healthy women. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was quantified in a 64-slice PET/CT scanner at rest, during a cold pressor test (CPT), and during stress. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation index, %ΔMBF, and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 16 women in the SLE group (mean age ± SD, 31.4 ± 8.3 y) and 16 women in the healthy control group (31.5 ± 11.1 y). Mean endothelium-dependent vasodilatation index and %ΔMBF were significantly lower in SLE patients (1.18 ± 0.55 vs. 1.63 ± 0.65, P = 0.04, and 18 ± 55 vs. 63 ± 65, P = 0.04, respectively). MFR was also lower in the SLE group (2.41 ± 0.59 vs. 2.73 ± 0.77, P = 0.20).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SLE patients who are free of active disease present abnormal coronary flow and endothelial dysfunction. It is necessary to develop and intensify treatment strategies directed to CAD in SLE patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, México City, México. alexanderick@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Erick
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alexánderson
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calleja
authors.forename: Juan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Juárez-Rojas
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jácome
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Aloha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meave
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Posadas-Romero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000641:Ammonia; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009590:Nitrogen Radioisotopes; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011312:Pressure; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D009590:Nitrogen Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D000641:Ammonia