Cardiac complications in children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Two patients had cardiac complications of childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 14-year-old boy had extramural and intramural coronary arteritis demonstrated by angiography. The signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia improved dramatically when corticosteroid dose and immunosuppression were increased. A 20-year-old woman had had SLE for 18 years and had functionally significant mitral stenosis and regurgitation. Calcification of the mitral valve was observed on echocardiography. Corticosteroid treatment has controlled the renal manifestations of SLE. Cardiac complications of SLE are now a significant clinical problems.