[Cardiac imaging in ANCA-associated vasculitis]

Presse Med. 2007 May;36(5 Pt 2):902-6. doi: 10.1016/j.lpm.2007.02.013. Epub 2007 Mar 13.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Churg-Strauss syndrome and Wegener granulomatosis are the two principal ANCA-associated vasculitides. Cardiac damage is frequent and prognosis poor. This damage is often subclinical initially and undetectable with standard cardiac imaging techniques (such as cardiac ultrasound or myocardial scintigraphy). Cardiac MRI permits early diagnosis of the different types of cardiac damage (myocarditis, pericarditis, and impaired myocardiac perfusion) that may occur during ANCA-associated vasculitis, even before the onset of symptoms. Early detection of this cardiac damage is crucial for it enables faster implementation of aggressive treatment, which may significantly improve disease prognosis. The widespread, even routine, practice of cardiac MRI in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis thus seems justified, for this noninvasive examination provides essential diagnostic and prognostic information and helps guide therapeutic management.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic*
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Circulation
  • Coronary Disease / diagnosis
  • Echocardiography
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / diagnosis*
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Pericardial Effusion / diagnosis
  • Prognosis
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic