Value of18F-FDG PET/CT in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Response to Treatment of Lupus Myocarditis
Alvaro M. Perazzo et al. Larissa G. F. Andrade Leonardo G. A. Venancio Pedro Alves da Cruz Gouveia … Mariana Feitosa Ramalho Galvão Esdras M. Lins Fernando Moraes Neto Simone Cristina Soares Brandão
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The cardiovascular system has relevant clinical importance among the affected organs because it is associated with higher mortality in these patients. The heart can be affected in any structure, and lupus myocarditis is a major diagnostic challenge in clinical practice.
Non-invasive tests such as electrocardiograms and echocardiograms are not sensitive or specific enough for this diagnosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is the preferred imaging modality for diagnosing myocarditis, but it has contraindications, such as patients with metallic implants or using gadolinium in chronic kidney disease.
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