Systemic autoimmune diseases are characterized by an excess of cardiovascular(CV) morbidity and mortality compared to the general population,mainly due to chronic inflammation that promotes the development of endothel...Systemic autoimmune diseases are characterized by an excess of cardiovascular(CV) morbidity and mortality compared to the general population,mainly due to chronic inflammation that promotes the development of endothelial dysfunction and enhanced atherosclerosis.Early diagnosis of silent CV involvement is mandatory to improve the long term prognosis of these patients and CV imaging provides valuable information as a reliable diagnostic tool.Transthoracic echocardiography,with several applications(e.g.coronary flow reserve evaluation,tissue Doppler imaging,speckle tracking and the transesophageal approach),represents a first line evaluation,in association with biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction,such as asymmetric dimethylarginine.Nuclear medicine provides useful information on myocardial perfusion.The aim of this editorial is to provide a brief but complete review of the diagnostic tools available for screening and follow up of CV involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases.展开更多
Background: The heart and great vessels were once thought to be relatively resistant to the damaging effect of radiation therapy. There is now clear evidence that thoracic irradiation may cause acute inflammation and ...Background: The heart and great vessels were once thought to be relatively resistant to the damaging effect of radiation therapy. There is now clear evidence that thoracic irradiation may cause acute inflammation and progressive fibrosis of different structures, including the heart valves, the myocardium and the pericardium, the coronary arteries and the conduction system. As new therapies have improved survival, many patients with cancer (mostly Hodgkin’s disease and breast cancer) are now at risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications following radiation therapy. Objectives: To raise awareness of CV complications following chest irradiation. Method: We present 5 patients that we treated during a short period of time (between June 2013 (6/2013) and February 2015 (2/2016)), who suffered CV involvement that needed therapy, following chest irradiation. Conclusions: Patients after chest irradiation should be followed periodically, in order to diagnose and treat CV complications, in time.展开更多
文摘Systemic autoimmune diseases are characterized by an excess of cardiovascular(CV) morbidity and mortality compared to the general population,mainly due to chronic inflammation that promotes the development of endothelial dysfunction and enhanced atherosclerosis.Early diagnosis of silent CV involvement is mandatory to improve the long term prognosis of these patients and CV imaging provides valuable information as a reliable diagnostic tool.Transthoracic echocardiography,with several applications(e.g.coronary flow reserve evaluation,tissue Doppler imaging,speckle tracking and the transesophageal approach),represents a first line evaluation,in association with biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction,such as asymmetric dimethylarginine.Nuclear medicine provides useful information on myocardial perfusion.The aim of this editorial is to provide a brief but complete review of the diagnostic tools available for screening and follow up of CV involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases.
文摘Background: The heart and great vessels were once thought to be relatively resistant to the damaging effect of radiation therapy. There is now clear evidence that thoracic irradiation may cause acute inflammation and progressive fibrosis of different structures, including the heart valves, the myocardium and the pericardium, the coronary arteries and the conduction system. As new therapies have improved survival, many patients with cancer (mostly Hodgkin’s disease and breast cancer) are now at risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications following radiation therapy. Objectives: To raise awareness of CV complications following chest irradiation. Method: We present 5 patients that we treated during a short period of time (between June 2013 (6/2013) and February 2015 (2/2016)), who suffered CV involvement that needed therapy, following chest irradiation. Conclusions: Patients after chest irradiation should be followed periodically, in order to diagnose and treat CV complications, in time.
