Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis

The clinical profile of systemic sclerosis with screening for cardiac involvement and the effect of cold stimulation on myocardium are described in 17 patients. Besides routine investigations, echocardiography, radionuclide ventriculography and computerized stress test, both before and after cold pressor test were done. Ten patients had abnormal ECG findings, two patients had mild pericardial effusion and five patients had moderate grade pulmonary hypertension. Echocardiography and radionuclide ventriculography did not reveal wall motion abnormality either before or after cold stimulation. Computerized stress test was positive for ischaemia following cold stimulation in one patient.