Cardiac involvement in scleroderma.

Abstract

In summary, cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis can be manifested as myocardial disease, pericardial disease, conduction system disease, or arrhythmias. Clinical cardiac involvement is a poor prognostic factor. Asymptomatic cardiac abnormalities are frequent, and all cardiac abnormalities are seen more often in diffuse scleroderma. Unlike other organs, the role of vascular involvement is unclear. At present, treatment of cardiac scleroderma is essentially symptomatic and empiric. The role of vasodilation and immunosuppression needs further exploration.