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Ulnar artery vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis

Jeong Ha Park1, Yoon-Kyoung Sung, Sang-Cheol Bae

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Rheumatology International
|April 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Systemic sclerosis patients with digital ulcers often have ulnar artery issues. Early screening and revascularization are recommended for severe cases, especially with diffuse sclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Digital ulceration is common in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
  • Macrovascular involvement in SSc is increasingly recognized.
  • Limited data exists on macrovascular disease in SSc patients with digital ulcers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of macrovascular involvement, specifically ulnar artery disease, in SSc patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulceration.
  • To assess the need for early surgical intervention in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records and brachial angiographic findings.
  • Analysis of 19 SSc patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulceration.
  • Comparison of risk factors between patients with and without ulnar artery involvement.

Main Results:

  • Ulnar artery involvement was frequent in the studied SSc patients.
  • No significant difference in macrovascular disease risk factors was found between involved and non-involved groups.
  • Five out of thirteen surgically treated patients underwent vascular grafting for ulnar artery disease.

Conclusions:

  • Ulnar artery involvement is a notable finding in SSc patients with severe Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulceration.
  • Angiographic screening and early revascularization should be considered for these patients, particularly those with diffuse SSc.

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