Related Experiment Videos
[Cold-induced cardiac abnormalities in systemic sclerosis]
R H Rey1, G Marrero, A Chwojnik
1Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Medicina
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SS) patients show early cardiac dysfunction, including impaired ventricular function and wall motion, after cold exposure. This suggests coronary Raynaud
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Medical Imaging
Context:
- Systemic sclerosis (SS) frequently causes cardiac abnormalities.
- Coronary Raynaud's phenomenon may contribute to myocardial dysfunction in SS.
- Early cardiac dysfunction in SS often lacks overt symptoms.
Purpose:
- To assess ventricular performance and regional wall motion during cold exposure in SS patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.
- To investigate potential early signs of cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis.
Summary:
- Radionuclide ventriculograms (RV) were performed on 24 SS patients and 10 controls during basal, cold-challenged, and recovery phases.
- Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased significantly (p=0.03) with reversible wall motion abnormalities post-chilling.
- Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was lower in SS patients at baseline (p=0.02) and decreased with cold exposure (p=0.04).
Impact:
- Demonstrates early cardiac dysfunction and impaired wall motion in response to cold in SS patients.
- Suggests coronary artery spasm is an early and frequent phenomenon in systemic sclerosis.
- Highlights the potential for identifying subclinical cardiac disease before symptomatic presentation.