Early cardiovascular involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)
Jerzy Wranicz1, Marzenna Zielińska, Iwona Cygankiewicz
1Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Medical University of Łódź, ul. Sterlinga 1/3, 91-425 Łódź, Poland. holter@csk.am.lodz.pl
Summary
Systemic sclerosis patients often have early cardiac issues like arrhythmias and diastolic dysfunction, detectable with non-invasive tests. These findings highlight the need for cardiac screening in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a fibrotic connective tissue disease with potential internal organ involvement.
- SSc symptoms are often nonspecific and may be recognized late.
- Early cardiac dysfunction in SSc patients often goes unrecognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cardiac function in SSc patients using non-invasive methods.
- To detect early cardiovascular system dysfunction in systemic sclerosis.
- To identify subclinical cardiac abnormalities in SSc.
Main Methods:
- Compared 22 SSc patients with 22 healthy controls.
- Utilized standard EKG, 24-hour Holter monitoring (HM), and echocardiography.
- Performed heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and assessed cardiac structure and function.
Main Results:
- SSc patients showed a tendency towards tachycardia and had higher rates of ventricular arrhythmia and silent ischemia.
- Significantly lower heart rate variability (HRV) values were observed in SSc patients.
- Left ventricle diastolic dysfunction was found in 6 SSc patients, and valvular lesions in 8, though most were not hemodynamically significant.
Conclusions:
- 24-hour Holter monitoring and echocardiography are effective for early detection of cardiac dysfunction in SSc.
- Non-invasive cardiac assessments can identify subclinical cardiovascular impairment in systemic sclerosis patients.
- Early detection of cardiac issues in SSc is crucial for timely intervention and management.
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