THE CARDIAC LESIONS OF ACUTE DISSEMINATED LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

The distinctive cardiac lesions of acute disseminated lupus erythematosus, pathognomonic even when cutaneous lesions are absent, are not always found at autopsy. Variability is great in the kinds, ages, extent and distribution of the less characteristic lesions. Moreover, anemia, malnutrition, uremic or bacterial toxemias and other late complications may alter cardiac physiology and anatomy. The diagnostic difficulties, clinical and pathological, are illustrated by analysis of 21 cases.