Autoimmune heart disease
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Autoimmune heart diseases are the effects of the body's own immune defense system mistaking cardiac antigens as foreign and attacking them leading to inflammation of the heart as a whole, or in parts. The commonest form of autoimmune heart disease is rheumatic heart disease or rheumatic fever.
Mechanism
These are the typical mechanisms of autoimmunity. Autoantibodies or auto-toxic T-lymphocyte mediated tissue destruction. The process is aided by neutrophils, the complement system, tumor necrosis factor alpha, etc.
Diagnosis
Types
These depend on the amount of inflammation. These are covered in their relevant articles.
- Acute: Heart failure; pericardial effusion; etc.
- Chronic: Valve diseases as noted above; Reduced cardiac output; Exercise intolerance.
Treatment
Intensive cardiac care and immunosuppressives including corticosteroids are helpful in the acute stage of the disease. Chronic phase has, mainly debility control and supportive care options.
See also
References
- Harrison's Guide to Internal Medicine.
- Robin's Pathology. ISBN 1416025340