[Clinical and coronary features of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVES

To observe the clinical and coronary features of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

Among 2877 SLE inpatients (age ≥ 18 years, male 363, female 2514) admitted in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1999 to October 2009, 33 patients [mean age (50.7 ± 12.8) years] were diagnosed with CAD and coronary angiogram was available in 20 out of these 33 patients. Clinical and coronary features of these patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The incidence of CAD was significantly higher in male SLE patients than in female patients [2.48% (9/363) vs. 0.95% (24/2514), P = 0.022]. Patients with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome were more likely to suffer from CAD [5.76% (8/139) vs. 0.91% (25/2738), P < 0.001]. Myocardial infarction was the major form of CAD (24/33). Coronary artery angiographic changes included coronary stenosis and occlusions, coronary aneurysms and acute thrombosis and multi-vessel lesions was found in 75.0% (15/20) patients with SLE and CAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Male SLE patients and patients with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome are at higher risk for CAD. Myocardial infarction and multi-vessel lesions are common in SLE patients with CAD.