Introduction: The association between anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and cardiac disease in the presence
of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported in various clinical trials. However, the correlation
between these auto-antibodies and right ventricular (RV) function has been inadequately
investigated.
Objective: The present study investigated the possible correlation of the plasma anticardiolipin antibodies,
as a marker of autoimmune phenomenon, with RV functions, assessed by right ventricular speckle
tracking, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus independent of significant pulmonary hypertension,
systolic dysfunction or valvular disease.
Methods: Forty-six SLE patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in our study and submitted thorough
history, complete clinical examination then clinical scoring according to SLEDAI-2K score and then
laboratory investigations particularly plasma anticardiolipin Ig_G or Ig_M antibodies. Then echocardiography
was done to assess cardiac dimensions, left ventricular systolic functions, right ventricular functions
and lastly speckle tracking for assessment of the right ventricular systolic strain.
Results: Most of the study patients were young adult females with long-standing SLE (mean = 26 ± 3.1).
All study patients had a high clinical SLE score (>6). All patients were normotensives and non-diabetics.
No significant correlation was found between anticardiolipin titre and left ventricular dimensions or systolic
functions. Significant negative correlation was found between RV strain and plasma level of both
anticardiolipin Ig_M and Ig_G.
Conclusion: The present study identified that with the use of 2D speckle tracking in patients with SLE,
right ventricular systolic function was significantly diminished with rising plasma titre of autoimmune
(Ig_G or Ig_M) antibodies independent of cardiovascular risk factors.