الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Summary Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem chronic autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody production directed against nuclear antigens. There is a diversity of autoantibodies of which those against nuclear antigens typically predominate immune complex formation and complement activation, and leucocyte emigration and activation. A complex interaction of genetics, environment, and hormones leads to immune dysregulation and breakdown of tolerance to self-antigens, resulting in autoantibody production, inflammation, and destruction of organs. Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease which affects multiple organs such as skin, mucosa, musculoskeletal, renal, neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems. Although childhood disease is similar to that in adults, the course and severity may differ. Severe involvements such as renal, neurological, and hematological are more common during childhood. About cardiac affection pathohistological studies in autopsy series of SLE patients have revealed a prevalence of myocarditis ranging from 40% to 78%. However, such a high prevalence is not observed in clinical practice, suggesting that the process of myocardial inflammation in SLE patients is insidious and slow paced. In the absence of cardiac symptoms, the deterioration of left ventricular (LV) function progresses subclinically. It is well known that right ventricle function could be affected in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) represents one of the most threatening |