Predictors of subclinical systemic sclerosis primary heart involvement characterised by microvasculopathy and myocardial fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

SSc primary heart involvement (SSc-pHI) is a significant cause of mortality. We aimed to characterize and identify predictors of subclinical SSc-pHI using cardiovascular MRI.

Methods

A total of 83 SSc patients with no history of cardiovascular disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension and 44 healthy controls (HCs) underwent 3 Tesla contrast-enhanced cardiovascular MRI, including T1 mapping and quantitative stress perfusion. High-sensitivity troponin I and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were also measured.

Results

Cardiovascular MRI revealed a lower myocardial perfusion reserve in the SSc patients compared with HCs {median (interquartile range (IQR)] 1.9 (1.6-2.4) vs 3 (2-3.6), P < 0.001}. Late gadolinium enhancement, indicating focal fibrosis, wa

SUBMITTER: Dumitru RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8213428 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature