Cardiovascular and Renal Diseases in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Cardiovascular disease occurs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cardiovascular diseases are important in SLE. Cardiovascular diseases involve the myocardium, pericardium, cardiac valves, and coronary arteries. Pericarditis is often accompanied by pleurisy, tachycardia, and cardiac enlargement. Verrucae on the valve leaflets cause a heart murmur. Myocarditis, coronary artery inflammation, and pulmonary arterial hypertension may be seen. Lupus nephritis is the main cause of renal damage in SLE. The kidney is the most important organ that determines the prognosis of SLE. In this section, cardiovascular involvement in SLE is illustrated.