Systemic autoimmune diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against various self-constituents. In specific cases, the heart and cardiovascular (CV) system are the primary organs targeted by the disease. On the other hand, several systemic autoimmune conditions are linked to enhanced atherosclerosis, with a consequently high CV morbidity and mortality rates. Persistent low-grade inflammation in the vascular wall is described to be important in the physiopathology of CV events. At first, inflammation is linked to endothelial dysfunction supporting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells with subsequent vascular remodeling. Furthermore, the infiltration of innate and adaptive immune cells promotes a milieu of molecules that contributes to the perpetuation of inflammation itself. Although CV risk assessment should be part of routine care in patients with autoimmune diseases, no disease-specific models are currently available for this purpose. The main pillars of CV risk reduction are pharmacological and nonpharmacological management of cardiovascular CV risk factors, as well as tight control of disease activity.
This Research Topic aims to give an update about the physiopathological and clinical aspects of the primary or secondary CV manifestations in systemic autoimmune diseases.
Topics that are welcome to this article collection include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Primary CV manifestations of systemic autoimmune diseases: physio pathological, epidemiological and clinical aspects;
• CV comorbidities in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases: physio pathological, epidemiological and clinical aspects;
• CV aspects related to disease activity in systemic autoimmune diseases;
• CV effects of the drugs used for systemic autoimmune diseases;
• New tools in the evaluation of CV risk in systemic autoimmune diseases.
The type of manuscripts may be reviews, mini-reviews, but also original research.
Systemic autoimmune diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against various self-constituents. In specific cases, the heart and cardiovascular (CV) system are the primary organs targeted by the disease. On the other hand, several systemic autoimmune conditions are linked to enhanced atherosclerosis, with a consequently high CV morbidity and mortality rates. Persistent low-grade inflammation in the vascular wall is described to be important in the physiopathology of CV events. At first, inflammation is linked to endothelial dysfunction supporting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells with subsequent vascular remodeling. Furthermore, the infiltration of innate and adaptive immune cells promotes a milieu of molecules that contributes to the perpetuation of inflammation itself. Although CV risk assessment should be part of routine care in patients with autoimmune diseases, no disease-specific models are currently available for this purpose. The main pillars of CV risk reduction are pharmacological and nonpharmacological management of cardiovascular CV risk factors, as well as tight control of disease activity.
This Research Topic aims to give an update about the physiopathological and clinical aspects of the primary or secondary CV manifestations in systemic autoimmune diseases.
Topics that are welcome to this article collection include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Primary CV manifestations of systemic autoimmune diseases: physio pathological, epidemiological and clinical aspects;
• CV comorbidities in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases: physio pathological, epidemiological and clinical aspects;
• CV aspects related to disease activity in systemic autoimmune diseases;
• CV effects of the drugs used for systemic autoimmune diseases;
• New tools in the evaluation of CV risk in systemic autoimmune diseases.
The type of manuscripts may be reviews, mini-reviews, but also original research.
