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Evaluation of cardiac structures and function in systemic sclerosis by Doppler echocardiography
S Maione1, G Valentini, A Giunta
1Istituto di I Clinica Medica, II Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Napoli-Federico II, Italia.
Cardiology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Doppler echocardiography revealed abnormal diastolic filling in 9 systemic sclerosis patients, indicating potential early myocardial fibrosis. These findings occurred without systolic dysfunction or other apparent heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease that can affect multiple organs, including the heart.
- Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis can manifest as diastolic dysfunction, even in the absence of overt symptoms or other cardiac abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ventricular diastolic filling patterns in patients with systemic sclerosis using Doppler echocardiography.
- To identify early signs of cardiac involvement, specifically diastolic dysfunction, in systemic sclerosis patients.
Main Methods:
- Doppler echocardiography was performed on 51 consecutive patients with systemic sclerosis.
- Key diastolic parameters were measured: peak early (E) and late (A) diastolic flow velocities, E/A ratio, early diastolic slope, and isovolumic relaxation period.
Main Results:
- Nine out of 51 patients (17.6%) exhibited abnormal ventricular diastolic filling dynamics.
- These abnormalities were present despite the absence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, systemic hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, or other clinically evident myocardial disease.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal diastolic filling patterns can be an early, isolated manifestation of myocardial fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.
- Doppler echocardiography is valuable for detecting subclinical cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis patients.