Autoimmune heart disease
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2014) |
antigens as foreign and attacking them leading to inflammation of the heart as a whole, or in parts. The commonest form of autoimmune heart disease is rheumatic heart disease or rheumatic fever.
Cause
Aetiologically, these are most commonly seen in children with a history of
antibodies cross react with the heart antigens causing inflammation.[citation needed
]
Inflammatory damage leads to the following:[1][2]
- Pericarditis: Here the pericardium gets inflamed. Acutely, it can cause pericardial effusion leading to cardiac tamponade and death. After healing, there may be fibrosis and adhesion of the pericardium with the heart leading to constriction of the heart and reduced cardiac function.
- pancarditis. On healing, there will be fibrosis and reduced functional capacity.
- heart valves. This may cause a valve prolapse, adhesion of the adjacent cusps of these valves and occlusion of the flow tracts of blood through the heart causing diseases called valve stenosis.
Mechanism
These are the typical mechanisms of
tumor necrosis factor alpha, etc.[citation needed
]
Diagnosis
Types
These depend on the amount of inflammation. These are covered in their relevant articles.
- Acute: Heart failure; pericardial effusion; etc.
- Chronic: Valve diseases as noted above; Reduced cardiac output; Exercise intolerance.
Treatment
Intensive cardiac care and immunosuppressives including corticosteroids are helpful in the acute stage of the disease. Colchicine can also be used to help prevent recurrences in Pericarditis. Chronic phase has, mainly debility control and supportive care options.
See also
References
- PMID 37629654.
- ISBN 978-3-642-54595-5
- Harrison's Guide to Internal Medicine.
- Robin's Pathology. ISBN 1416025340