Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
04:44

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Published on: June 16, 2020

Systolic and diastolic function in patients with systemic sclerosis

Laura Poanta1, Razvan Dadu, Cristina Tiboc

  • 1University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, 2nd Medical Department, Cluj Napoca, Romania. laurapoanta@yahoo.com

European Journal of Internal Medicine
|June 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients often have preclinical cardiac diastolic dysfunction, detectable through echocardiography. Early identification of this asymptomatic heart disease is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Symptomatic heart disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc) indicates a poor prognosis.
  • Cardiac involvement in SSc can precede clinical symptoms by years.
  • Early detection of cardiac dysfunction is vital for managing SSc patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate cardiac function in SSc patients using echocardiography.
  • To correlate echocardiographic findings with disease severity markers in SSc.
  • To identify preclinical cardiac involvement in SSc.

Main Methods:

  • Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed on 20 consecutive SSc patients.
  • Two-dimensional, pulsed Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) assessed left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function.
  • Echocardiographic measurements were correlated with clinical and serological SSc features.

Main Results:

  • No SSc patients exhibited clinical cardiac signs, ECG, or TTE systolic dysfunction.
  • Significant differences in LV filling were observed in SSc patients compared to controls (peak A velocity, E/A ratio, E/Ea ratio).
  • A correlation was found between Raynaud's phenomenon duration and LV diastolic dysfunction (E/Ea ratio).

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac involvement in SSc often presents as preclinical diastolic dysfunction.
  • Asymptomatic SSc patients can have treatable diastolic dysfunction requiring close monitoring.
  • Echocardiographic assessment is important for detecting early-stage SSc heart disease.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice06:39

Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice

Published on: April 13, 2015

Echocardiographic Approaches and Protocols for Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Valvular Heart Disease in Mice12:12

Echocardiographic Approaches and Protocols for Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Valvular Heart Disease in Mice

Published on: February 14, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...