Three cases of premature coronary artery disease in systemic lupus erythematosus / 대한내과학회지

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with a potential for multisystem organ dysfunction. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients have more frequent and earlier manifested atherosclerosis including coronary artery disease than the general population. We report three patients having SLE that have experienced acute coronary syndrome with onset at a relatively young age. The patients have premature atherosclerosis in a coronary artery as determined by coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS). We suggest that systemic lupus erythematosus is a significant risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis.