OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics and related pathogenetic factors in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with myocardial involvement.

METHODSClinic data and myocardial involvements were analyzed in 2494 SLE patients who admitted to our hospital from 1997 to 2007.

RESULTSMyocardial involvements were seen in 13 out of 2494 SLE patients (0.52%). Dyspnea of various degrees and left ventricular systolic dysfunction are frequently found in these patients with myocardial involvements. Glucocorticoid therapy significantly increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 37.7% +/- 5.8% vs. 40.9% +/- 7.1%, P = 0.002). Significant associations were found between anti-rRNP antibody and LVEF (r = 0.843, P = 0.001) as well as between cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (r = 0.656, P = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONSMyocardium is rarely affected in patients with SLE in this cohort. Echocardiography is a valuable method for detecting cardiac abnormalities in patients with SLE. Glucocorticoid therapy could improve cardiac function in SLE patients with cardiac involvement and serological factors are related to cardiac functions.