Cardiovascular Manifestations of Systemic Vasculitides

Abstract

Purpose of review: Vasculitis can cause heart disease and are associated with premature atherosclerosis, causing increased morbidity and mortality. Consequently, it is important to know how they can affect the cardiovascular system in order to detect and treat the abnormalities in earlier phases.

Recent findings: A clear increasing trend of inpatient burden of myocardial infarction and thromboembolic events in granulomatosis with polyangiitis has been observed lately. Behçet's disease has been linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Studies showing increased atherosclerosis and thromboembolic phenomena in vasculitis are continuously published. Improvement in imaging techniques has consistently showed that subclinical cardiovascular involvement is frequent. Vasculitis may affect seriously the cardiovascular system causing an important increase in morbidity and mortality. Subclinical involvement is frequent. Early treatment with immunosuppression and sometimes surgery, is of paramount importance to improve the prognosis.

Keywords: Behcet’s disease; Cardiovascular disease; Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; Heart disease; Takayasu arteritis; Vasculitis.