The cardiac complications in rheumatoid<unk>  are usually due to involvement by rheumatoid nodule, inflammatory mediators and antirheumatic drugs.  There is increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis and thereby increasing the risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation.  Other possible complications include pericarditis, myocarditis and conduction defects. Cardiac disease with rheumatoid<unk>  can be related to granulomatous proliferation, inflammatory mediators, and antirheumatic drugs . Echocardiography is helpful in diagnosing pericarditis, ejection fraction and endocardial inflammation. Other useful tests are ECG, CBC, ESR, CRP, and troponins. Treatment of underlying cause is important. Treatment of pericarditis include NSAIDs and glucocorticoids. Treatment of myocarditis is methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Pacemakers are used for conduction defects.
The heart in rheumatoid arthritis
The heart in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
The heart in progressive systemic sclerosis 
The heart in sarcoidosis
The heart in Wegener's granulomatosis
The heart in psoriasis
The heart in Behçet's disease
The heart in Grave's disease 