Open AccessCardiac involvement in polymyositis
Author(s) -
Denbow Charles E.,
Lie J. T.,
Tancredi Robert G.,
Bunch Thomas W.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780221007
Subject(s) - polymyositis , medicine , cardiology
Cardiac involvement in polymyositis was investigated in 20 autopsied cases. Clinically, 13 of 18 patients had abnormal electrocardiograms, and 9 of the 20 patients had previous evidence of congestive heart failure. Histologically documented myocarditis was detected in 6 patients (4 with congestive heart failure and 2 without), 4 of whom also had small vessel disease of the myocardium. Patients with polymyositis may have a cardiopathy in the absence of overt myocardial inflammatory disease.