Book Description

This first volume represents the state-of-the-art in the field of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Systemic autoimmune diseases comprise a family of conditions that share common pathogenetic mechanisms as well as a multi-organ involvement including the heart. This volume has been subdivided into three parts. In the first part, the immune mechanisms involved in cardiac damage have been considered. The role of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines in driving an autoimmune response to cardiac self-tissues has been analysed. Moreover, the prevalence, the clinical meaning and the hypothetical pathogenicity of a broad spectrum of organ and non-organ specific autoantibodies have been discussed in detail. In the second part of the volume, the role of humoral and innate immunity in promoting the development of atherosclerotic plaque has been extensively reviewed, along with the newly discovered anti-inflammatory properties of statins. These two parts of the volume deal with exciting aspects of this topic, suggesting a very close connection between heart diseases and immunology. Finally, in the third part, the cardiac manifestations observed in the major systemic autoimmune conditions have been comprehensively examined.

This book yields an impressive body of well ordered information, highlighting key references and summarising the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physician-scientists actively involved in the field of cardiovascular disease and systemic autoimmunity.

Preface v
Volume Editors vii
Series Editor ix
List of Contributors xi
I Immune and Autoimmune Mechanisms Involved in Cardiac Damage
Cellular Immunity: A Role for Cytokines 3
Organ-Specific Autoimmunity Involvement in Cardiovascular Disease 19
Non-organ Specific Autoimmunity Involvement in Cardiovascular Disease 41
Pathogenesis of Anti-SSA/Ro-SSB/La Associated Congenital Heart Block 53
II Immune Mechanisms Involved in Atherosclerosis
Innate Immunity, Inflammation, and Atherogenesis 75
Atherosclerosis and Autoimmunity 89
Statins and Autoimmunity 97
III Cardiac Involvement in Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases
Cardiac Imaging Techniques in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases 109
Cardiac Involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis 121
Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 145
Neonatal Lupus Syndromes: Clinical Features 163
Cardiac Involvement in Scleroderma 189
Cardiac Involvement in Autoimmune Myositis and Overlap Syndromes 197
Cardiac Involvement in the Antiphospholipid Syndrome 213
Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Vasculitis 227
Index 255