Systemic vasculitis: an underestimated cause of heart failure - assessment by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2013;14(1):49-55. doi: 10.3909/ricm0637.

Abstract

Cardiovascular manifestations in systemic vasculitis include initially silent cardiomyopathy due to either ischemic or inflammatory causes. The combination of vasculitis and cardiomyopathy is associated with a poor prognosis. Early treatment with immunosuppressants in conjunction with appropriate cardiac pharmacotherapy is considered important and has dramatically improved prognosis. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance, due to its nonionizing, noninvasive evaluation of the cardiovascular system, can be of great value in the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of patients with systemic vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis*
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Systemic Vasculitis / complications
  • Systemic Vasculitis / diagnosis*
  • Systemic Vasculitis / drug therapy
  • Systemic Vasculitis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents