Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kispaticeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Periklis Siliogkas
General Hospital of Athens Korgialeneio—Benakeio Hellenic Red Cross, Athanasaki 11, 11526 Athens, Greece
Lyubomir Chervenkov
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University Plovdiv, Bul. Vasil Aprilov 15A, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Konstantina Bakopoulou
Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Sofia, Boulevard ‘Akademik Ivan Evstratiev Geshov’ 15, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
Issa El Kaouri
Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Sofia, Boulevard ‘Akademik Ivan Evstratiev Geshov’ 15, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
Anna Vasilska
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University Plovdiv, Bul. Vasil Aprilov 15A, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Dimitrina Miteva
Medical Faculty, Sofia University, St. Kliment Ohridski, 1 Kozyak Str., 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria
Dobrin Vassilev
Ruse University Angel Kanchev, ul. “Studentska” 8, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria
Tsvetelina Velikova
Medical Faculty, Sofia University, St. Kliment Ohridski, 1 Kozyak Str., 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria
Coronary artery disease (CAD) presents a significant risk for patients with systemic vasculitides, a group of disorders characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels. In this review, we focus on the pathophysiological mechanisms, complications, and management strategies for CAD in systemic vasculitides. We highlight how the inflammatory processes inherent in vasculitis contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia. Key strategies in managing CAD in this patient population include using medicine treatments to mitigate vascular inflammation while balancing the risk of promoting cardiovascular events and lifestyle modifications. Understanding the nuanced relationship between systemic vasculitides and CAD is crucial for improving patient outcomes and guiding therapeutic approaches.
