Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2025

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

20.0K

Sex-specific difference in cardiac function in patients with systemic sclerosis: association with cardiovascular

Tea Gegenava1,2, Federico Fortuni1,3, Nina Marijn van Leeuwen4

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

RMD Open
|November 10, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Men with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have worse cardiovascular outcomes. Impaired left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) in men may explain these poorer outcomes, offering a potential target for intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Medical Science

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
  • Men with SSc experience higher cardiovascular mortality than women, but the reasons are unclear.
  • This study investigates sex differences in cardiac function to explain outcome disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess sex differences in echocardiographic characteristics in SSc patients.
  • To evaluate left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) as a potential explanation for sex-based outcome differences.
  • To determine if LV GLS mediates the association between male sex and adverse cardiovascular events in SSc.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiographic examinations were performed on 746 SSc patients (16% men).
  • Standard and advanced echocardiographic parameters, including LV GLS, were assessed.
  • Cardiovascular events (hospitalization/death) were tracked over a median of 48 months.

Main Results:

  • Men with SSc exhibited significantly more impaired LV GLS compared to women, even after adjusting for clinical factors.
  • Men experienced higher cumulative rates of cardiovascular events (hospitalization/mortality).
  • The excess risk of cardiovascular events in men was explained by differences in LV GLS.

Conclusions:

  • Male sex is independently associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes in SSc.
  • Impaired LV GLS in men is a key factor contributing to sex differences in cardiovascular outcomes.
  • Targeting LV GLS may be crucial for improving cardiovascular health in men with SSc.
Abstract

Keywords:
autoimmune diseasescardiovascular diseasessclerodermasystemic

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

15.0K
Assessment of Cardiac Morphological and Functional Changes in Mouse Model of Transverse Aortic Constriction by Echocardiographic Imaging09:05

Assessment of Cardiac Morphological and Functional Changes in Mouse Model of Transverse Aortic Constriction by Echocardiographic Imaging

Published on: June 21, 2016

18.3K

Related Concept Videos

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...
15
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...
12
Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance01:29

Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance

Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...
675
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...
14
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...
37
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
1.4K