We present the clinical case of a 26-year-old woman, suffering systemic lupus erythematosus for 15 years, who suddenly had coronary heart disease with angina pectoris on mild effort. Thallium 201 exercise test demonstrated clearcut anteroseptal and apical perfusion defects, whereas repeated echocardiography showed a hypokinetic anteroseptal segment; ECG also reported new Q wave in lead V4. After stronger corticosteroid and immunosoppressive treatment, angina pectoris attenuated and perfusion defects disappeared within few months. We hypothesize a coronary artery vasculitis inthe course of systemic lupus erythematosus, probably associated with early coronary artery atherosclerosis.
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