[Cardiac disorders associated with progressive systemic sclerosis]

J Cardiol. 1998 Dec;32(6):397-402.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

This study investigated cardiac disorders in 25 patients with diagnoses of progressive systemic sclerosis based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. All were women, and the mean age was 59 +/- 11 (range 41-80) years old. The duration of the disease was 11 +/- 9 (range 3-40) years. The following complications were seen; Raynaud's phenomenon in all, esophageal disorders in 11, pulmonary fibrosis in 9, diabetes mellitus in 3, high blood pressure in 6, hyperlipidemia in 7, and positive anticardiolipin antibody in 8. Electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography were performed to assess the cardiac disorders. Abnormal ECG was seen in 11 patients (44%) and abnormal echocardiograms in 16 patients (64%). ECG abnormalities included incomplete right bundle branch block in 8 (32%), low voltage in 3 (12%), supraventricular arrhythmia in 3 (12%), ventricular arrhythmia in 1 (4%) and septal myocardial infarction pattern in 1 (4%). Echocardiographic abnormalities included valvular diseases in 13 (52%) and pericardial thickening in 7 (28%). No relationship was found between ECG and echocardiographic abnormalities. Echocardiographic abnormalities were more frequently observed in patients with positive anticardiolipin antibody (7/8, 88%) than in those with negative anticardiolipin antibody (9/17, 53%). Especially, pericardial thickening was seen in 63% (5/8) of positive patients, in comparison to 12% (2/17) of the negative patients (p < 0.05). Patients with progressive systemic sclerosis may have several cardiac disorders including conduction disturbances, low voltage ECG, valvular diseases and pericardial thickening. Pericardial thickening has a close relationship with positive anticardiolipin antibody.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / analysis
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathies / etiology*
  • Cardiomyopathies / pathology
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pericardium / pathology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin
  • Biomarkers