Autoimmune Heart Disease: A Comprehensive Summary for Forensic Practice

Abstract

Autoimmune heart disease is a non-random condition characterised by immune system-mediated aggression against cardiac tissue. Cardiac changes often exhibit nonspecific features and, if unrecognised, can result in fatal outcomes even among seemingly healthy young individuals. In the absence of reliable medical history, the primary challenge lies in differentiating between the various cardiopathies. Numerous immunohistochemical and genetic studies have endeavoured to characterise distinct types of cardiopathies, facilitating their differentiation during autopsy examinations. However, the presence of a standardised protocol that forensic pathologists can employ to guide their investigations would be beneficial. Hence, this summary aims to present the spectrum of autoimmune cardiopathies, including emerging insights such as SARS-CoV-2-induced cardiopathies, and proposes the utilisation of practical tools, such as blood markers, to aid forensic pathologists in their routine practice.

Coenzyme Q10 and Autoimmune Disorders: An Overview

“…The potential role of CoQ10 in some 50 autoimmune disorders has been investigated, as listed in Table 2. Autoimmune cardiovascular disorders include rheumatic heart disease, together with the various forms of autoimmune arteritis (giant cell arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, and Takayasu arteritis), autoimmune vasculitis (Kawasaki disease, Behcets disease, and eosinophilic granulomatosis), antiphospholipid syndrome, and thrombocytopenia [13]. Autoimmune arteritis and vasculitis are disorders in which the immune system attacks particular blood vessels or blood vessel components.…”