Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the evolution of cardiac alterations in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Echocardiographic and echo-Doppler findings from 77 unselected SSc patients were analyzed at the first clinical observation and after a follow-up period of 65 ± 36 months. Data were compared with those obtained from 45 normal subjects matched for age and sex. RESULTS: Baseline left ventricular (LV) systolic function was normal in all patients and controls while LV diastolic dysfunction (expressed by an inverted E/A ratio which represents early and late filling of the LV during atrial contraction) was present in 23 patients and in 1 control (P <0.001). At the end of the follow-up period, while LV systolic function declined in 1 case alone, 6 further patients developed an inverted E/A ratio. Moreover, in the group of SSc patients mean A-wave values, E/A ratio, left atrial dimension, and LV wall thickness significantly changed, all indicating the progression of heart involvement. The alteration of LV diastolic function was independent of other known causes potentially affecting LV relaxation. Moreover, impairment of LV filling parameters was detected in the first phase of follow-up, while the anatomical changes occurred in the last phase. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the significant prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction in SSc patients and the role of primary myocardial involvement. The long-term follow-up demonstrates that LV filling dysfunction is progressive and precedes the occurrence of LV remodeling.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 721-727 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2005 |
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Keywords
- Echocardiography
- Left ventricular filling
- Longitudinal study
- Systemic sclerosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Rheumatology
Cite this
Echocardiographic alterations in systemic sclerosis : A longitudinal study. / Maione, Stefania; Cuomo, Giovanna; Giunta, Anna; Tanturri De Horatio, Laura; La Montagna, Giovanni; Manguso, Francesco; Alagia, Ivo; Valentini, Gabriele.
In: Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, Vol. 34, No. 5, 04.2005, p. 721-727.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Echocardiographic alterations in systemic sclerosis
T2 - A longitudinal study
AU - Maione, Stefania
AU - Cuomo, Giovanna
AU - Giunta, Anna
AU - Tanturri De Horatio, Laura
AU - La Montagna, Giovanni
AU - Manguso, Francesco
AU - Alagia, Ivo
AU - Valentini, Gabriele
PY - 2005/4
Y1 - 2005/4
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the evolution of cardiac alterations in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Echocardiographic and echo-Doppler findings from 77 unselected SSc patients were analyzed at the first clinical observation and after a follow-up period of 65 ± 36 months. Data were compared with those obtained from 45 normal subjects matched for age and sex. RESULTS: Baseline left ventricular (LV) systolic function was normal in all patients and controls while LV diastolic dysfunction (expressed by an inverted E/A ratio which represents early and late filling of the LV during atrial contraction) was present in 23 patients and in 1 control (P <0.001). At the end of the follow-up period, while LV systolic function declined in 1 case alone, 6 further patients developed an inverted E/A ratio. Moreover, in the group of SSc patients mean A-wave values, E/A ratio, left atrial dimension, and LV wall thickness significantly changed, all indicating the progression of heart involvement. The alteration of LV diastolic function was independent of other known causes potentially affecting LV relaxation. Moreover, impairment of LV filling parameters was detected in the first phase of follow-up, while the anatomical changes occurred in the last phase. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the significant prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction in SSc patients and the role of primary myocardial involvement. The long-term follow-up demonstrates that LV filling dysfunction is progressive and precedes the occurrence of LV remodeling.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the evolution of cardiac alterations in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Echocardiographic and echo-Doppler findings from 77 unselected SSc patients were analyzed at the first clinical observation and after a follow-up period of 65 ± 36 months. Data were compared with those obtained from 45 normal subjects matched for age and sex. RESULTS: Baseline left ventricular (LV) systolic function was normal in all patients and controls while LV diastolic dysfunction (expressed by an inverted E/A ratio which represents early and late filling of the LV during atrial contraction) was present in 23 patients and in 1 control (P <0.001). At the end of the follow-up period, while LV systolic function declined in 1 case alone, 6 further patients developed an inverted E/A ratio. Moreover, in the group of SSc patients mean A-wave values, E/A ratio, left atrial dimension, and LV wall thickness significantly changed, all indicating the progression of heart involvement. The alteration of LV diastolic function was independent of other known causes potentially affecting LV relaxation. Moreover, impairment of LV filling parameters was detected in the first phase of follow-up, while the anatomical changes occurred in the last phase. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the significant prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction in SSc patients and the role of primary myocardial involvement. The long-term follow-up demonstrates that LV filling dysfunction is progressive and precedes the occurrence of LV remodeling.
KW - Echocardiography
KW - Left ventricular filling
KW - Longitudinal study
KW - Systemic sclerosis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=17044407448&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=17044407448&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2004.11.001
DO - 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2004.11.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 15846587
AN - SCOPUS:17044407448
VL - 34
SP - 721
EP - 727
JO - Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism
JF - Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism
SN - 0049-0172
IS - 5
ER -