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Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Cardiac involved and autopsy in two patients with systemic sclerosis: Two cases report
Hang Yu1,2, Qinwen Wen1, Xiaolu Zhang2
1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, 59 Liuting Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, PR China.
Insights
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) heart injury, including myocarditis and fibrosis, may cause cardiac arrest. Early detection of cardiac issues in SSc patients is crucial for improving survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a serious connective tissue disease with high mortality rates.
- Cardiac arrest is a frequent cause of death in SSc patients, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Autopsy reports detailing cardiac involvement in SSc are rare.
Abstract:
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease with high mortality. One of the most common causes of death in potential SSc patients is cardiac arrest. However, the pathogenesis of cardiac death is not very clear. As far as we know, there are few autopsy reports on this subject. Our autopsy report on two fatal cases of heart injury in SSc patients revealed evidence of myocarditis, focal myocardial necrosis, and myocardial fibrosis. Our findings suggest that chronic inflammation of the heart may lead to extensive fibrosis, which could contribute to the high mortality rate observed in SSc patients. Early detection of heart injury in SSc patients using existing technology is necessary to improve patient outcomes. Future research should focus on developing more effective methods for early detection and management of heart involvement in SSc.
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