Immunologic aspects of vasculitis and cardiovascular disease
D. K. Ledford
The immunologic cardiovascular diseases are a heterogeneous group of
conditions. Many of these entities are associated with serious morbidity
and mortality resulting from cardiac impairment, ischemic complications, or
organ dysfunction, particularly of the kidneys, lung, and nervous system.
The systemic nature of these conditions, coupled with vague symptoms and
nonspecific initial physical findings, makes the differential diagnosis
complicated. Research has identified specific mediators and primary origins
in some conditions, with infections often being responsible.
Immunosuppressive therapy, despite the potential complications, has
improved the prognosis of some of the more serious immunologic
cardiovascular diseases. Improvement in the treatment of immunologic
cardiovascular diseases awaits identification of additional causes,
improved definition of host factors that predispose an individual to
develop these conditions, and better understanding of the immune
dysregulation responsible for the progression of disease. The potential
pathophysiologic role of immunologic mechanisms in common disorders such as
congestive heart failure and atherosclerosis is intriguing and offers the
possibility of novel therapies in these prevalent conditions.
