Coronary artery dilation among patients with paediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Increased coronary artery diameters were found in children with SLE and were associated with higher serum UA levels. The pathogenic mechanisms warrant further investigation.

Pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with coronary arteritis: A case series and review of the literature

“…A recent cohort study in Taiwan investigating the prevalence of coronary artery dilation in pSLE revealed that children with SLE had increased right and left coronary artery diameters, which was statistically significant compared to healthy controls [12]. This study did not distinguish coronary dilatation at disease onset versus into the course of their lupus.…”

“…We know coronary artery dilatation can occur in pediatric patients with SLE during the course of their disease [11,12], but at present, it is not standard practice to perform a screening echocardiogram at disease onset to assess coronary vessel diameter. Based on review of literature, and the cases we have presented, it would seem prudent to perform baseline screening of the coronary vasculature with non-invasive echocardiogram of newly diagnosed pSLE patients.…”

“…In pSLE, coronary arteritis has been reported as a rare event based on an autopsy study [11], and only 1 cohort study has indicated coronary artery dilatation in pSLE at any time point during the course of disease [12]. It would be prudent to know whether pediatric patients have coronary involvement at disease onset to assess their overall cardiovascular risk as well as to determine optimal management of their SLE.…”