Cardiac involvement in inflammatory disease: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic fever, and Kawasaki disease.

This review focuses on treatment and preventive issues relevant to cardiac problems associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic fever, and Kawasaki disease in adolescence. Cardiac abnormalities occur as a result of the immune dysfunction and as side effects of therapy. With increased survival, more cardiac complications are being detected. Screening for cardiac risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, hypertension, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia, should begin in adolescence.