Modulates of pulmonary perfusion in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus patients

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary perfusion scanning using Technitium 99m labeled on macroaggregated human serum albumin was done for 32 patients; 16 with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and 16 with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]. Their age range was 13-68 years and duration of illness 1.5-15 years. This study showed reduction of pulmonary perfusion mainly in the posterior and lateral basal segments in both RA and SLE patients. This perfusion defect was related to age and duration of illness in RA but not is SLE. Clinical respiratory manifestation and/or chest radiological findings did not show relation to pulmonary perfusion in both diseases