First Things First (assess & treat for the following)

• Does pt have a distinct cardiovascular syndrome such as CHF, pericarditis or a conduction disturbance? If so, then treat these as usual initially (ie, stabilize pt & initiate standard therapy).
• Does pt have a known systemic autoimmune disorder? This should raise suspicion of cardiovascular involvement, especially if there is an unusual presentation (eg, ischemia, aneurysms or multiple thrombi in a young person).
• Have cardiovascular abnormalities occurred in the setting of systemic illness? Consider primary systemic vasculitis.