Immunopathologic and clinical studies in pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

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Abstract

PH is an uncommon manifestation of SLE. The symptoms of PH develop within a few years after the onset of the multisystem disease. The most common presenting complaints of SLE patients with PH are dyspnea on exertion, chest pain, nonproductive cough, edema, and fatigue or weakness. The important physical findings are a loud second pulmonic heart sound and a right ventricular lift.

The chest roentgenogram shows a cardiomegaly, a prominent pulmonary segment, and usually clear lung fields. Pulmonary function tests may show evidence of restrictive lung disease; however, the physiologic abnormalities are mild and out of proportion to the severity of the PH. The diagnosis of PH is established by cardiac catherization showing elevated pulmonary artery pressure, normal capillary wedge pressure, and no evidence of intracardiac or extracardiac shunts.

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  • Cited by (0)

    Supported in part by grants from the Southern California Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and from The American Lupus Society.

    1

    From the University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif.

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