Myocarditis in a 72-year-old woman with late onset systemic lupus erythematous

Abstract

A 72-year-old female with late onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was admitted with chest pain and dyspnoea, and was submitted to investigation by echocardiogram, cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR) and serology panel. Morphological and functional studies of the heart revealed conspicuous inflammatory signs and moderate effusion compatible with myocarditis and pericarditis. Myocarditis is an uncommon manifestation of SLE. The additional burden posed by myocarditis in the management and outcome of elderly patients with SLE is also emphasized.