Cardiac magnetic resonance predicts ventricular arrhythmias in scleroderma: the Scleroderma Arrhythmia Clinical
Sophie Mavrogeni1, Luna Gargani2, Alessia Pepe3
1Department of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece.
Insights
A new SAnCtUS score using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can predict dangerous heart rhythm disturbances in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. This score aids in identifying high-risk individuals for better management of cardiac events.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cardiac rhythm disturbances are the leading cause of cardiovascular death in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- Current risk stratification for SSc patients does not incorporate electrocardiographic findings.
- There is a need for improved methods to predict arrhythmias in SSc.
Purpose of the Study:
- To translate 24-hour Holter findings into a risk prediction score using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).
- To develop a tangible scoring system for identifying SSc patients at high risk of ventricular rhythm disturbances.
Main Methods:
- Prospective multicentre study (SAnCtUS) of 150 SSc patients.
- Assessment using 24-hour Holter and CMR, including ventricular function, oedema (T2 ratio), and late gadolinium enhancement (%LGE).
- Development of the SAnCtUS score via decision-tree analysis based on T2 ratio and %LGE.
Main Results:
- T2 ratio and %LGE were significant predictors of ventricular rhythm disturbances.
- The SAnCtUS score, a four-category system, effectively identified patients at high risk.
- A highest SAnCtUS score (4) was independently associated with a higher risk of the combined endpoint (sustained ventricular tachycardia or sudden cardiac death).
Conclusions:
- T2 ratio and %LGE are valuable independent predictors of rhythm disturbances in SSc.
- The SAnCtUS score provides a novel tool for risk stratification in SSc patients.
- This score can aid in identifying patients who may benefit from closer cardiac monitoring and intervention.
Objectives:
Cardiac rhythm disturbances constitute the most frequent cardiovascular cause of death in SSc. However, electrocardiographic findings are not a part of risk stratification in SSc. We aimed to translate 24 h Holter findings into a tangible risk prediction score using cardiovascular magnetic resonance.
Methods:
The Scleroderma Arrhythmia Clinical Utility Study (SAnCtUS) was a prospective multicentre study including 150 consecutive SSc patients from eight European centres, assessed with 24 h Holter and cardiovascular magnetic resonance, including ventricular function, oedema (T2 ratio) and late gadolinium enhancement (%LGE). Laboratory/clinical parameters were included in multivariable corrections. A combined endpoint of sustained ventricular tachycardia requiring hospitalization and sudden cardiac death at a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 1 (1.0-1.4) year was generated.
Results:
Only T2 ratio and %LGE were significant predictors of ventricular rhythm disturbances, but not of supraventricular rhythm disturbances, after multivariable correction and adjustment for multiple comparisons. Using decision-tree analysis, we created the SAnCtUS score, a four-category scoring system based on T2 ratio and %LGE, for identifying SSc patients at high risk of experiencing ventricular rhythm disturbance at baseline. Increasing SAnCtUS scores were associated with a greater disease and arrhythmic burden. All cases of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (n = 7) occurred in patients with the highest SAnCtUS score (=4). Having a score of 4 conveyed a higher risk of reaching the combined endpoint in multivariable Cox regression compared with scores 1/2/3 [hazard ratio (95% CI): 3.86 (1.14, 13.04), P = 0.029] independently of left ventricular ejection fraction and baseline ventricular tachycardia occurrence.
Conclusion:
T2 ratio and %LGE had the greatest utility as independent predictors of rhythm disturbances in SSc patients.
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