This volume provides an overview on our current understanding of major complications relating to the heart and autoimmune diseases. It includes the latest information on the new pathogenetic mechanisms involved, along with clinical manifestations of these important comortbidities. Mortality in autoimmune diseases, in particular, rheumatoid arthritis and SLE, has increased when compared with the general population. This excess mortality is largely due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-particularly those of atherosclerotic origin, such as ischemic heart disease-and is gaining recognition in all branches of medicine, from cardiology, to internal medicine, and from rheumatologists to orthopedics.