ADHF in SLE myocarditis
Phase E adjacent-disease variant of cardio.acute-hf.core.v1 — narrowed to ADHF caused by SLE myocarditis. Phenotype-first triage drives immunosuppression intensity (pulse methylprednisolone + cyclophosphamide vs mycophenolate vs rituximab/IVIG salvage). Diagnostic algorithm: SLE serology bundle (ANA + dsDNA + Smith + Ro/La + C3/C4) + APL panel + UA with protein; cardiac MRI Lake Louise 2018; EMB GOLD STANDARD if life-threatening or atypical (AHA 2020 PMID 32200645). Strongyloides serology MANDATORY before high-dose steroids if exposure history. Critical AVOID list: NSAIDs (lupus nephritis AKI); live vaccines during immunosuppression; DOACs inferior to warfarin in triple-positive APL syndrome (TRAPS PMID 30002145). Multidisciplinary co-management mandatory: rheumatology + cardiology; oncology if ICI-myocarditis overlap. Long-term GDMT 4-pillar for residual HFrEF; ICD per HRS 2017 (PMID 28219760) if EF <35 + sustained VT despite ≥3 mo GDMT + immunosuppression. Manifest pointer reuses cardio.acute-hf.core.v1 manifest. Design-brief reuses parent. Status INTEGRATED; authored 2026-05-15 by shard-06-cardio-acute (Phase E wave 22 systemic-disease).
Entry points (4)
- symptomNew HF symptoms in patient with established SLE or recently positive ANA + dsDNA + low complementhf_symptoms_with_known_sle_or_serology
- symptomYoung woman (15-45) with new HF + pleuritic chest pain + arthritis + rash → SLE myocarditis screenyoung_woman_with_hf_and_polyserositis
- lab_abnormalityANA ≥1:80 + low C3/C4 + elevated troponin without obstructive CAD on cathpositive_ana_with_low_complement_and_hf
- imagingCardiac MRI Lake Louise 2018 positive (T2 elevation + LGE patchy mid-wall) + positive SLE serologycmr_lake_louise_with_sle_serology
Required inputs (15)
- agerequireddemographic • used at CONTEXTSLE peak incidence 15-45; pediatric SLE more aggressive; late-onset SLE (>50) often milder
- sexrequireddemographic • used at CONTEXTF:M ~9:1 reproductive age; cardiac SLE may behave differently across sex
- prior_sle_diagnosis_or_featuresrequiredhistory • used at CONTEXTPrior ACR/EULAR-criteria SLE diagnosis or features (malar rash, arthritis, serositis, nephritis, cytopenias, neuropsychiatric)
- cancer_with_ici_exposurehistory • used at CONTEXTConcurrent ICI-myocarditis must be excluded if cancer history — overlap with SLE flare changes management
- sbprequiredvital • used at RED_FLAGSHypotension may indicate myocarditis severity, pericardial tamponade, or vasodilatory state
- nt_probnprequiredlab • used at INITIAL_WORKUPHF severity stratification + monitoring response to immunosuppression
- troponinrequiredlab • used at INITIAL_WORKUPReflects ongoing myocyte injury; trend daily during immunosuppression
- creatininerequiredlab • used at CONTEXTLupus nephritis common; baseline before ACEi/ARB/NSAID + cyclophosphamide; KDIGO 2026 staging
- ana_dsdna_smith_complementrequiredlab • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPSLE confirmation (ANA ≥1:80, anti-dsDNA + anti-Smith specific) + flare activity (low C3/C4 + rising dsDNA)
- antiphospholipid_panelrequiredlab • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPLupus anticoagulant + anti-cardiolipin + anti-β2GP1 — drives Libman-Sacks AC decision and stroke risk
- urinalysis_with_proteinrequiredlab • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPLupus nephritis screen — proteinuria + active sediment changes management (mycophenolate vs cyclophosphamide)
- strongyloides_serologylab • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPMANDATORY before high-dose steroids in patients with possible exposure (steroids precipitate fatal hyperinfection)
- echo_with_strainrequiredimaging • used at INITIAL_WORKUPLV dysfunction, regional wall motion, pericardial effusion, Libman-Sacks valve thickening / vegetation
- cardiac_mri_lake_louiserequiredimaging • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPLake Louise 2018 — T2 active edema + LGE patchy mid-wall non-ischemic distribution
- emb_if_severeimaging • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPEndomyocardial biopsy gold standard if life-threatening (CS, fulminant) or atypical presentation per AHA 2020 (PMID 32200645)
12-phase flow (12)
- 1FRAMESLE myocarditis presenting as ADHF — phenotype-first triage (immunosuppression-responsive vs concurrent ICI-myocarditis vs Libman-Sacks endocarditis with embolic complication)inputs: age, sexadvance: SLE myocarditis suspected
- 2ENTRYKnown SLE + new HF, or young woman with HF + serositis + arthritis, or positive ANA + low complement + troponin elevation without obstructive CADinputs: ageadvance: one entry trigger present
- 3CONTEXTDemographics, prior SLE features, ICI exposure history, baseline renal/hepatic function (KDIGO 2026), pregnancy status (cyclophosphamide gonadotoxicity)inputs: age, sex, prior_sle_diagnosis_or_features, sbp, creatinineadvance: context complete
- 4RED_FLAGSCardiogenic shock (SCAI C+); fulminant myocarditis; pericardial tamponade; multi-organ SLE flare with lupus nephritis worsening on ACEi/ARB; ventricular arrhythmiainputs: sbp, troponin, nt_probnpactions: cardiogenic_shockadvance: red flags screened or escalated
- 5INITIAL_WORKUPNT-proBNP + troponin + BMP + CBC + lactate + ECG + bedside echo with strain (LV dysfunction, regional WMA, pericardial effusion, Libman-Sacks)inputs: nt_probnp, troponin, creatinine, echo_with_strainactions: acute_pulm_edema, panel.cardiac, panel.renaladvance: baseline workup documented
- 6BRANCHING_WORKUPSLE serology bundle (ANA + dsDNA + Smith + Ro/La + C3/C4) + APL panel + UA with protein; cardiac MRI Lake Louise; EMB if severe / atypical; STRONGYLOIDES serology mandatory before high-dose steroidsinputs: ana_dsdna_smith_complement, antiphospholipid_panel, urinalysis_with_protein, cardiac_mri_lake_louiseadvance: SLE myocarditis confirmed or alternative diagnosis identified
- 7DIFFERENTIALSLE myocarditis vs viral myocarditis vs ICI-myocarditis (cancer + ICI exposure overlap) vs giant-cell myocarditis vs eosinophilic myocarditis vs sarcoidinputs: emb_if_severeadvance: etiology assigned + mimics excluded
- 8RISK_STRATIFICATIONSLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) + organ involvement count + cardiac MRI burden — drives immunosuppression intensity (cyclophosphamide vs mycophenolate vs rituximab)inputs: nt_probnp, troponin, creatinineadvance: severity stratified
- 9TREATMENTStandard ADHF (gentle diuresis) + IMMUNOSUPPRESSION: pulse methylprednisolone 1 g IV daily × 3-5 d → prednisone 1 mg/kg taper; cyclophosphamide IV pulse 500-1000 mg/m² monthly × 6 for severe; mycophenolate alternative; rituximab + IVIG for refractory; AVOID NSAIDsinputs: sbp, creatinine, urinalysis_with_proteinactions: protocol.cardiogenic_shockadvance: immunosuppression + supportive plan started
- 10DISPOSITIONFloor vs ICU; rheumatology + cardiology multidisciplinary mandatory; if cancer + ICI exposure → oncology joinadvance: unit + multidisciplinary team assigned
- 11MONITORINGDaily troponin trend (response marker); weight + BMP + UA; weekly C3/C4 + dsDNA during steroid taper; echo at 2 wk + 3 mo; CMR at 3 mo to confirm resolutioninputs: creatinine, nt_probnp, troponinactions: panel.renaladvance: monitoring plan documented
- 12FOLLOWUPLong-term rheumatology + cardiology co-management; SLE flare prevention with HCQ + DMARD; GDMT 4-pillar for residual HFrEF; ICD eval per HRS 2017 if EF <35 + sustained VT despite ≥3 mo GDMT + immunosuppressionadvance: long-term plan booked