CARDIAC LESIONS IN PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

A CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

Clinical evidence of cardiac involvement was present in 11 of 28 cases of progressive systemic slcerosis (PSS) between the age of 19 and 78 years. Abnormal electrocardiographic findings other than simple arrhythmia was seen in 9 cases while a depressed left ventricular function was diagnosed in 5 cases. Pericardial effusion was suspected in 3 cases echocardiographically.
Five of 11 cases with abnormal cardiac findings were not associated with systemic hypertension nor significant pulmonary fibrosis. It was considered that the myocardial lesions may develop primarily in PSS, although systemic hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis are significant contributing factors.