THE SPECTRUM OF CARDIOLOGY MANIFESTATIONS IN AUTOIMMUNE RHEUMATIC DISEASE

Proceedings of 35^th World Congress on Heart Diseases & 33^rd World Congress on Cardiology & Heart Diseases

August 23-24,2021 | Webinar

Ljudmila Stojanovich, A.Djokovic, N. Stanisavljevic

University Medical Ljudmila Stojanovich, A.Djokovic, N. Stanisavljevic

Keynote: J Cardiovasc Dis Diagn

Abstract :

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or Hughes Syndrome represents a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by arterial and/or venous thrombosis, multiple and recurrent fetal losses, accompanied by persistently elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). This syndrome is considered primary if unassociated with any other connective tissue disease or secondary if it appears in association with other autoimmune disorders, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cardiac manifestations in APS are integral part of the syndrome. aPL are involved in the pathogenesis of pseudoinfective endocarditis (Libman Sacks) and other valvular manifestations presented as their thickening and dysfunction. Intracardiac thrombi and myxomas, pulmonary hypertension and left ventricular dysfunction are also distinguishing features of APS. On the other hand, accelerated atherosclerosis proven in APS and also aPL mediated, is accountable for the development of coronary and peripheral artery disease. This leads to higher cardiovascular mortality rate in the population of patients with low incidence of the traditional atherosclerosis risk factors. Furthermore, recent studies implied that presence of certain aPL could be a risk factor for the specific cardiac manifestation. Bearing all this in mind, early diagnosis of cardiac manifestations, control and abolition of traditional risk factors as well as close cardiac follow-up of APS patients are crucial in the means of reduction of their cardiovascular mortality. Keywords: cardiac manifestations, antiphospholipid syndrome