Advanced Parameters of Myocardial Strain and Cardiac Biomarkers Indicate Subclinical Systolic Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematous

Abstract

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by inflammation and cardiovascular complications. Our study aimed to investigate subclinical and early indicators of systolic myocardial dysfunction in SLE patients using advanced echocardiographic methods and biomarkers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 102 SLE patients without known cardiac impairment and 51 healthy controls. Demographics, disease characteristics, laboratory results, disease activity (SLEDAI), and organ damage (SDI) indices were recorded. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work indices were assessed by utilizing speckle tracking echocardiography. In addition, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), high-sensitivity troponin (hsTn), and N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were measured in blood samples. Results: In comparison with controls, SLE patients had significantly higher GLS (−19.94 ± 2.71% vs. −21.15 ± 1.55%, p p = 0.025). Notably, NT-proBNP and hsTn were threefold and twofold higher in the SLE group compared with the control group, respectively (p Conclusions: Advanced echocardiographic parameters combined with specific biomarkers have a promising role in detecting systolic dysfunction in SLE patients, potentially enabling timely interventions to mitigate cardiovascular risk

Keywords

• systemic lupus erythematous
• echocardiography
• myocardial work
• speckle tracking echocardiography
• high sensitivity troponin
• natriuretic peptide