Raynaud's phenomenon is correlated with elevated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

In patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is frequently present and associated with pulmonary hypertension (PHT). Elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) is an indicator of PHT and can be estimated noninvasively. We attempt to explore the significance of RP in SLE and to correlate it with clinical and serological parameters of the disease.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis-related pleural effusion: the case of beta-thalassemia.

Background: Thalassemia intermedia has a later clinical onset and a milder anemia than thalassemia major, characterized by high output state, left ventricle remodeling, and age-related pulmonary hypertension. Bone deformities, extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH), and spleen and liver enlargement are the consequences of hypoxia and enhanced erythropoiesis. The EMH-related pleural effusion is rarely referred to in the literature of thalassemia.

Does heterozygous beta-thalassemia confer a protection against coronary artery disease?

Six hundred and thirty-eight patients who presented with clinical symptoms and/or electrocardiographic findings suggestive of stable angina pectoris were studied; they were also investigated by coronary arteriography. Hemoglobin electrophoresis was performed on all patients to detect the presence of the beta-thalassemia trait. Results were analyzed by logistic regression analysis to determine whether the latter confers any protective effect against advanced coronary artery disease (aCAD; defined as the presence of atheromas in coronary arteries, resulting in stenosis at least 70%).

Thalassemia heart disease: a comparative evaluation of thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia.

Background: Heart disease represents the main determinant of survival in beta-thalassemia, but its particular features in the two clinical forms of the disease, thalassemia major (TM) and thalassemia intermedia (TI), are not completely clarified.

Methods: We compared clinical and echocardiographic global parameters in 131 TM patients who received regular chelation transfusions and were highly compliant with treatment (mean age, 28 +/- 6 years [+/- SD]), and 74 age-matched, TI patients who did not receive chelation transfusions.

Results: Congestive heart failure was encountered in five patients with TM (3.