Open AccessMyocardial systolic function in systemic lupus erythematosus: A study based on radionuclide ventriculography
Author(s) -
Bahl V. K.,
Aradhye S.,
Vasan R. S.,
Malhotra A.,
Reddy K. S.,
Malaviya A. N.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960150608
Subject(s) - medicine , radionuclide ventriculography , cardiology , radionuclide , ventricular function , lupus erythematosus , nuclear medicine , heart failure , ejection fraction , antibody , immunology , physics , quantum mechanics
We assessed left ventricular systolic function by means of radionuclide ventriculography in 20 consecutive unselected patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. All patients had normal left ventricular systolic function (defined as ejection fraction > 45%) in a resting state. Regional wall motion abnormalities were, however, seen in 4 patients (20%). Of these 20 patients, 8 were able to exercise on a bicycle ergometer. These patients were subjected to exercise radionuclide ventriculography. Of these 8 patients, 3 (37.5%) had an abnormal ventriculographic response to exercise (as evidenced by a subnormal rise in ejection fraction or a fall, appearance of a new regional wall motion abnormality or worsening of a pre‐existing one). This probably reflects subclinical left ventricular dysfunction unmasked by the stress of exercise. The clinical significance of these abnormalities on long‐term myocardial function and their possible reversibility with remission of the disease needs to be assessed in future studies.