Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System
10:17

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System

Published on: April 11, 2025

Electrocardiographic evaluation in patients with systemic scleroderma and without clinically evident heart disease

Anna Biełous-Wilk1, Małgorzata Poreba, Edyta Staniszewska-Marszałek

  • 1Department of Pathophysiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology : the Official Journal of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Inc
|July 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Systemic scleroderma (SSc) patients show early cardiac changes like arrhythmias and reduced heart rate variability (HRV) on electrocardiograms, even without heart symptoms. These noninvasive tests can detect early heart involvement in SSc.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Cardiac involvement in systemic scleroderma (SSc) is a poor prognostic indicator.
  • Early detection of cardiac issues in SSc is crucial for patient outcomes.
  • Subtle cardiac changes may precede overt symptoms in SSc patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in SSc patients.
  • To evaluate heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) in SSc.
  • To identify early cardiac involvement in SSc without clinical heart disease.

Main Methods:

  • Standard ECG and 24-hour Holter monitoring were performed on 27 SSc patients.
  • Analysis included time/frequency domain HRV, HRT, and echocardiography.
  • Comparison was made with a control group.

Main Results:

  • SSc patients exhibited more supraventricular and ventricular contractions.
  • Decreased time and frequency domain HRV parameters were observed in SSc patients, particularly at night.
  • Four SSc patients had abnormal HRT; five showed left ventricle diastolic dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Noninvasive ECG methods are valuable for detecting early cardiac involvement in SSc.
  • Routine use of these ECG techniques in SSc clinical practice is recommended.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the significance of HRT analysis in SSc.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Electrocardiogram01:29

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a critical diagnostic tool that records the electrical signals produced by the heart during each heartbeat. This recording is achieved through electrodes placed strategically on the arms, legs, and chest. The electrocardiograph amplifies these signals and produces 12 distinct tracings, offering a comprehensive understanding of the heart's electrical activity.
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and the T...
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...
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias01:30

Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmias, also known as arrhythmias, are disturbances in the heart's rhythm that range from benign to life-threatening. A thorough evaluation is crucial for appropriate management and involves a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests.Medical HistorySymptoms: Collect detailed information on palpitations, dizziness, syncope, chest pain, and fatigue. Note their onset, frequency, and triggers.Previous Cardiac Issues: Document any history of heart...
Electrocardiogram Fundamentals01:28

Electrocardiogram Fundamentals

Introduction
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and myocardial ischemia.
Definition
An electrocardiogram (ECG) visualizes the heart's electrical activity by tracing the electrical movement associated with each heartbeat on a graph or monitor. As the heart beats, an electrical wave passes through it, correlating with the cardiac cycle events.
Parts of an ECG
An ECG utilizes electrodes on the skin to...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography01:17

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography

Cardiac imaging studies encompass a wide range of noninvasive and minimally invasive techniques designed to visualize the heart's structure and function in detail. One such technique is echocardiography, which uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to produce detailed images of the heart, known as echocardiograms.
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
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...