In a new study, right heart failure (RHF) hospitalizations of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was associated with higher in-hospital mortality and non-fatal adverse outcomes. Lupus increases the risk for heart disease and cardiovascular morbidity. Autoimmune inflammation in the lung blood vessels can lead to right heart failure in people with SLE.
Researchers reviewed data from the 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample and compared outcomes between those with and without SLE. The researchers found SLE was linked to poorer hospital outcomes for people with SLE admitted with RHF. Of the group, 5,569 people were hospitalized for RHF and 111 of those people had SLE.
SLE was associated with increased likelihood of experiencing adverse outcomes, including higher rates of in-hospital death, acute kidney injury, and vasopressor use (a drug used to constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure). Clinically, people with SLE and with RHF tended to be younger and were more frequently female, as well as being more likely to be African American, Hispanic, or Native American, compared to those without SLE. There were no differences between those with SLE and people hospitalized with RHF who did not have SLE regarding mechanical ventilation use, hospital length of stay, or total hospitalization charges.
This is the first study to quantify the burden of SLE in RHF. More research is needed to identify mechanisms targeted at improving outcomes for people with SLE admitted with RHF. Learn more about lupus and the heart.
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