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 IJCM  Vol.5 No.20 , November 2014
Primary Cardiac Involvement in Scleroderma and Role of Cardiac MRI
Kashif Hussain, Robert C. Stansbury
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Abstract: Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a connective tissue disease characterized by vascular dysfunction and fibrosis that can affect multiple organ systems. We present case of primary cardiac involvement and the diagnostic role of cardiac MRI. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an accurate, quantitative method for the non-invasive assessment of myocardial perfusion. The presence of clinically apparent myocardial involvement in scleroderma portends a very poor prognosis. One study of US veterans found that clinical cardiac disease in scleroderma was associated with a 70% mortality rate at five years. Management of heart failure and conduction system abnormalities in scleroderma is similar to other cardiac disease. It includes afterload reduction, beta-blockade, defibrillator placement, etc. Patients with reduced cardiac function and normal coronary arteries may benefit from increased immune suppresion.
Keywords: Scleroderma, Primary Cardiac Involvement, Cardiac MRI
Cite this paper: Hussain, K. and Stansbury, R. (2014) Primary Cardiac Involvement in Scleroderma and Role of Cardiac MRI. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 5, 1316-1319. doi: 10.4236/ijcm.2014.520168.
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