[Echocardiography examinations in children suffering from cutaneous forms of scleroderma]
W Rokicki1, J Rubisz-Brzezińska, M Dukalska
1Kliniki Kardiologii Dzieciecej SI. AM w Katowicach.
Insights
Children with scleroderma often show early signs of heart problems, including mitral valve regurgitation and changes in left ventricle function, suggesting potential cardiomyopathy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs.
- Cardiac involvement in pediatric scleroderma is not fully understood.
- Early detection of cardiac abnormalities is crucial for managing the disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cardiac function in children with cutaneous scleroderma.
- To investigate the prevalence of mitral valve regurgitation.
- To identify early signs of cardiomyopathy in affected children.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography and Doppler analysis of mitral valve function were performed.
- 34 children with scleroderma and 30 healthy controls were included.
- Key echocardiographic parameters were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Children with scleroderma exhibited higher rates of cardiac valve regurgitation, particularly mitral valve insufficiency.
- Significant differences were observed in left ventricle shortening fraction and mass index.
- Mitral flow changes suggested impaired diastolic function and left atrial contraction.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric scleroderma patients show cardiac abnormalities indicative of early cardiomyopathy.
- Echocardiography is valuable for detecting subclinical cardiac changes.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term cardiac implications.
Abstract:
In 34 children suffering from so called cutaneous forms of scleroderma and in 30 healthy subjects echocardiographic cardiac assessment as well as doppler analysis of mitral valve function was performed. It was found that sclerodermic children suffered more frequently from cardiac valves regurgitation (especially insufficiency of mitral valve). However, these insufficiencies were usually negligible or corresponding to Io. Other changes detected in these children were as follows: significantly higher values of left ventricle shortening fraction, increased left ventricle mass index, and changes of mitral flow which may reflect impaired diasystolic function of left ventricle and, perhaps, impaired left atrium contraction. It is suggested that such changes could be corresponding to the beginning of cardiomyopathy.
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