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[Cardiac repercussions in the CREST syndrome].
J E Cardama1, J C Gatti, L M Olivares
1División de Medicina, Hospital F.J. Muñiz.
Medicina Cutanea Ibero-Latino-Americana
|January 1, 1987
Summary
CREST syndrome can cause severe cardiac issues like cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension. Echocardiography is crucial for detecting these life-threatening heart complications in patients with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- CREST syndrome, a variant of systemic sclerosis, can manifest with diverse organ involvement.
- Cardiac complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in CREST syndrome.
Observation:
- Two female patients with CREST syndrome and cardiac involvement were analyzed.
- One patient presented with pericardial effusion and cardiomyopathy without hypertension.
- The second patient developed chronic cor pulmonale secondary to pulmonary hypertension.
Findings:
- Echocardiography revealed primary myocardial involvement in one patient.
- Electrocardiography and echocardiography confirmed pulmonary hypertension in the second patient.
- Both cases highlight the potential for severe, late-stage systemic involvement.
Implications:
- Echocardiography is vital for diagnosing cardiac anomalies in CREST syndrome.
- Early detection and management of cardiac involvement are critical for patient survival.
- Understanding these cardiac manifestations can improve prognostic assessments for CREST syndrome.