A Case of Complicated Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Chung, Myung Sun; Oh, Eun Suk; Cho, Eun Ju; Min, Jun Ki; Hong, Yeon Sik; Lee, Sang Heon; Park, Sung Hwan; Cho, Chul Soo; Kim, Ho Youn

Abstract

SLE is an acute and/or chronic disease of a complex autoimmune nature affecting the skin, joints, serous membranes, kidney, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and other organs of the body. Cardiac abnormalities are one of the most important clinical manifestations of SLE, contributing significantly to the morbidity and morality of the disease. We report a woman, a 30-year-old with SLE, who developed symptoms and echocardiographic signs of dilated cardiomyopathy. She had a history of acute myocardial infartion 7 months ago and has taken cyclophosphamide pulse therapy owing to lupus nephritis. The diagnosis of the condition was based only on clinical and echocardiographic grounds without coronary angiography or endomyocardial biopsy. She received high dose steroid (methylprednisolone pulse therapy 1mg/kg for 3 days) and conservative therapy for heart failure. The association of SLE with dilated cardiomyopathy has not been described with review of previous literatures. For the probable causes of her dilated cardiomyopathy, we suggest that they are due to coronary arteritis or cyclophosphamide-induced myocarditis with regard to her past history of myocardial infartion and cyclophosphamide therapy for lupus nephritis. The incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy, complicated with SLE is rare, but it has ap increased risk for unfavorable outcome. It reserves to pioneer the method of early diagnosis and management which will improved the morbidity and mortality of the disease.