Systemic sclerosis and the heart: current diagnosis and management

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: Deciphering Cardiovascular Complications in Systemic Sclerosis

Cardiac manifestations in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are variable and are associated with a poor prognosis, frequently resulting in impaired right ventricular function and heart failure. A high proportion of patients with SSc experience pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), interstitial lung disease, or myocardial involvement, all of which can lead to exercise intolerance. In this context, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a useful tool for diagnosing exercise intolerance, elucidating its pathophysiology, and assessing its prognosis. CPET can also identify patients with SSc at higher risk of developing PAH. Despite its utility, current guidelines for CPET do not include the evaluation of patients with SSc, nor do standard SSc management guidelines consider CPET in the clinical work-up. This review summarizes the development, supporting evidence, and application of CPET in assessing cardiac involvement in patients with SSc.

Heart and systemic sclerosis-findings from a national cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Heart involvement is one of the leading causes of death in SSc. The prevalence of SSc-related cardiac involvement is poorly known. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and prognosis burden of different heart diseases in a nationwide cohort of patients with SSc.

METHODS

We used data from a multicentric prospective study using the French SSc national database. Focusing on SSc-related cardiac involvement, we aimed to determine its incidence and risk factors.

RESULTS

Of the 3528 patients with SSc, 312 (10.9%) had SSc-related cardiac involvement at baseline. They tended to have a diffuse SSc subtype more frequently and to have more severe clinical features, and presented more cardiovascular risk factors. From the 1646 patients available for follow-up analysis, SSc-related cardiac involvement was associated with an increased risk of death. There was no significant difference in overall survival between SSc-related cardiac involvement, ischaemic heart disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Regarding survival analysis, 98 patients developed SSc-related cardiac involvement at 5 years (5-year event rate 11.15%). Regarding reduced left ventricular ejection fraction <50% and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, the 5-year event rate was 2.49% and 5.84%, respectively. Pericarditis cumulative incidence at 5 years was 3%. Diffuse SSc subtype was a risk factor for SSc-related cardiac involvement and pericarditis. Female sex was associated with less left ventricular diastolic dysfunction incidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results describe the incidence and prognostic burden of SSc-related cardiac involvement at a large scale, with gender and diffuse SSc subtype as risk factors. Further analyses should assess the potential impact of treatment on these various cardiac outcomes.

Troponin I levels in systemic sclerosis patients with myocardial involvement

Objectives

Troponin I has been suggested as a more specific diagnostic biomarker for myocardial involvement in systemic sclerosis than the frequently used troponin T. The aim of this study is to evaluate the additive value of troponin I to detect myocardial involvement in systemic sclerosis. To this end, we evaluated the association between troponin I levels and myocardial involvement in systemic sclerosis patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was performed, including 20 healthy controls and four groups of each 20 systemic sclerosis patients from the Leiden Combined Care in Systemic Sclerosis cohort: (1) patients with myocardial involvement, (2) patients with myositis, (3) patients with elevated troponin T and creatine kinase levels but without organ involvement, and (4) patients without any signs of organ involvement. Troponin I levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Troponin I levels were compared between the different groups using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Results

The mean age of the 80 included patients was 56 years; 61% of the study population was female. Troponin I levels were not significantly different between patients with and without myocardial involvement (2.7 (0.5-15.3) vs 1.2 (0.1-6.6) ng/L; p = 0.117). Systemic sclerosis patients were more often positive for troponin I than healthy controls (70.0% vs 30.0%; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Elevated troponin I was not of additional value to diagnose myocardial involvement in systemic sclerosis patients.

Progression, Management, and Outcome of Aortic Valve Stenosis in Systemic Sclerosis: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

In systemic sclerosis (SSc), cardiac involvement is frequent, heterogeneous, and related to a poor prognosis. Due to a longer life expectancy, the development of degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is not uncommon. The aim of this article is to report the characteristics of AS in SSc, analyzing the rate of progression, the management, and the outcome.

METHODS

This is a case series conducted at the Department of Cardiology of Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.

RESULTS

From January 2007 to December 2022, we analyzed 234 patients with SSc. Ten/234 patients (4.3%) showed severe AS and were included in the analysis (age 75.5 years [IQR 58-84], nine females). Nine had limited and one diffuse SSc. Two patients were in NHYA/WHO II and eight in NYHA/WHO III. All had degenerative three-leaflet AS. Two patients showed severe AS at the first evaluation, and eight developed severe AS during the follow-up, with a time progression from moderate to severe AS of 3.2 ± 1.1 years (progression rate -0.190 ± 0.012 cm2/year for aortic valve area, 8.6 ± 6.1 mmHg/year for mean aortic gradient, 16 ± 7 mmHg/year for peak aortic gradient, and 0.5 ± 0.3 m/s/year for aortic peak velocity). Seven out of 10 patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), one underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), one was left untreated, and one was on a waiting list for TAVI. No major complications after TAVI or SAVR occurred. At a mean follow-up of 5.9 ± 3.9 years, eight patients are alive and two died.

CONCLUSION

Severe AS is a relevant cardiac complication of SSc and must be considered in the screening and during the follow-up. Its rapid progression rate may tentatively be due to autoimmunity, degenerative burden, and chronic inflammation.

Electrical storm following pregnancy in systemic scleroderma: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by immune dysfunction, vascular damage, and fibrosis affecting the skin and multiple internal organs, such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. In some women with preexisting SSc, pregnancy is associated with negative maternal outcomes. Tachyarrhythmia is a common clinical manifestation of cardiovascular damage in SSc patients. However, few studies have reported the use of catheter ablation and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients with SSc complicated by ventricular tachycardia (VT).

CASE

A 19-year-old woman known case of SSc referred to our center with recurrent VT during pregnancy and after delivery. Two-dimensional Echocardiogram showed severe systolic dysfunction with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 30%. Considering, recurrent VT despite medical treatment and the progressive nature of systemic sclerosis radiofrequency catheter (RF) ablation and ICD implantation were performed.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of systemic sclerosis complicated by VT and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction during pregnancy that was successfully treated with RF ablation.

Assessment of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index in Systemic Scleroderma Patients with Focus on Cardiopulmonary Manifestations

OBJECTIVES

To quantify levels of two inflammation-related indexes, namely neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in systemic scleroderma patients and determine the association with clinical manifestations and features of heart ultrasound.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 34 patients with diagnosis of systemic scleroderma which were admitted to the hospital during 2015-2019. Patient data included the presence and type of clinical manifestations of systemic scleroderma, chest imaging to screen for lung disease, heart ultrasound reports and the laboratory investigations needed to quantify inflammatory indexes. We analysed the levels of inflammatory indexes and compared results based on the prevalence of systemic manifestations.

RESULTS

Higher serum levels of NLR and SII are associated with the presence of joint, lung and pericardial involvement. Statistical significance was observed only for NLR levels with regard to the presence of articular involvement and ILD. Low ejection fraction was also associated with higher levels of both inflammatory indexes, without statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Inflammatory indexes are cost-effective markers that reflect active disease manifestations of systemic scleroderma and can thus be a useful tool to include in the regular follow-up of patients in order to better inform organ-specific assessments.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement entropy: Prognostic value in patients with systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) affects the myocardium, thereby resulting in a poor prognosis. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) entropy, derived from routine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) LGE images, is an index that reflects the complexity of the left ventricular myocardium. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LGE entropy can serve as a prognostic factor in patients with SSc.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with SSc, who underwent CMR-T1 mapping and LGE to identify myocardial damage, were enrolled, and LGE entropy was measured. Extracellular volume (ECV) values were calculated using the same CMR-LGE images. The endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), comprising all-cause death, hospitalization due to heart failure, and the onset of sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. The ability to predict MACE was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and the predictability of LGE entropy was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

The ROC curve analysis demonstrated a cut-off value of 7.39 for MACE with LGE entropy and had a sensitivity and specificity of 80 % and 79 %, respectively. Patients with LGE entropy ≥7.39 had a significantly higher MACE rate than those with LGE entropy <7.39 (p = 0.010). Moreover, LGE entropy ≥7.39 was a poor prognostic factor in patients without elevated ECV values.

CONCLUSIONS

LGE entropy can be used to predict MACE and allows for further risk stratification in addition to ECV determination.

Predictors and survival of cardiomyopathy determined by echocardiography in Thai patients with early systemic sclerosis: an inception cohort study

Available data including the incidence, predictors and long-term outcome of early systemic sclerosis patients associated with suspected cardiomyopathy(SSc-CM) is limited. Therefore, we aimed to study the incidence, predictors and survival of SSc-CM. An inception cohort study was conducted for early SSc patients seen at the Rheumatology Clinic, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand, from January 2010 to December 2019. All patients were determined for clinical manifestations and underwent echocardiography and HRCT at enrollment and then annually. SSc-CM was determined and classified using echocardiography. 135 early SSc patients (82 female,108 DcSSc) were enrolled. With the mean follow-up period of 6.4 years, 32 patients developed SSc-CM. The incidence of SSc-CM was 5.3 per 100-person years. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that baseline anti-topoisomerase I-positive (Hazard ratio[HR] 4.86, p = 0.036), dysphagia (HR 3.35, p = 0.001), CK level ≥ 500 U/L(HR 2.27, p = 0.045) and low oxygen saturation (HR 0.82, p = 0.005) were predictors of SSc-CM. The survival rates after SSc-CM diagnosis at 1, 5 and 10 years were 90.3%, 73.1%, and 56.1%, respectively. In this study cohort, the incidence of SSc-CM was 5.3 per 100-person years, and tended to have low survival. The presence of anti-topoisomerase I antibody, dysphagia, CK level ≥ 500 U/L, and low oxygen saturation were independent baseline predictors for developing SSc-CM.

Impact exerted by scaffolds and biomaterials in periodontal bone and tissue regeneration engineering: new challenges and perspectives for disease treatment

The periodontium is an appropriate target for regeneration, as it cannot restore its function following disease. Significantly, the periodontium's limited regenerative capacity could be enhanced through the development of novel biomaterials and therapeutic approaches. Notably, the regenerative potential of the periodontium depends not only on its tissue-specific architecture and function but also on its ability to reconstruct distinct tissues and tissue interfaces, implying that the development of tissue engineering techniques can offer new perspectives for the organized reconstruction of soft and hard periodontal tissues. With their biocompatible structure and one-of-a-kind stimulus-responsive property, hydrogels have been utilized as an excellent drug delivery system for the treatment of several oral diseases. Furthermore, bioceramics and three-dimensional (3D) printed scaffolds are also appropriate scaffolding materials for the regeneration of periodontal tissue, bone, and cartilage. This work aims to examine and update material-based, biologically active cues and the deployment of breakthrough bio-fabrication technologies to regenerate the numerous tissues that comprise the periodontium for clinical and scientific applications.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Rheumatology to Detect Cardiac Involvement Since Early and Pre-clinical Stages of the Autoimmune Diseases: A Narrative Review

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) encompass multisystem disorders, and cardiovascular involvement is a well-known feature of autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic conditions. Unfortunately, subclinical and early cardiovascular involvement remains clinically silent and often undetected, despite its well-documented impact on patient management and prognostication with an even more significant effect on severe and future MACE events as the disease progresses. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), today, commands a unique position of supremacy versus its competition in cardiac assessment and is the gold standard for the non-invasive evaluation of cardiac function, structure, morphology, tissue characterization, and flow with the capability of evaluating biventricular function; myocardium for edema, ischemia, fibrosis, infarction; valves for thickening, large masses; pericardial inflammation, pericardial effusions, and tamponade; cardiac cavities for thrombosis; conduction related abnormalities and features of microvascular and large vessel involvement. As precise and early detection of cardiovascular involvement plays a critical role in improving the outcome of rheumatic and autoimmune conditions, our review aims to highlight the evolving role of CMR in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), limited sclerosis (LSc), adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) (formerly Churg-Strauss syndrome), and DRESS syndrome (DS). It draws attention to the need for concerted, systematic global interdisciplinary research to improve future outcomes in autoimmune-related rheumatic conditions with multiorgan, multisystem, and cardiovascular involvement.

The Role of the Multidisciplinary Health Care Team in the Management of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease characterised by immune dysfunction, vascular damage and fibrosis affecting the skin and multiple internal organs. The clinical spectrum of SSc is wide and its manifestations may lead to severe morbidity and mortality, in addition to a great impact on patients' quality of life. Due to the multifaceted clinical manifestations of SSc, its management requires a combined expertise of different medical specialists to guarantee an adequate disease control and prevent organ complications. Multi-disciplinary teams (MDT), which are composed by physicians and other specialized health professionals, represent therefore a key element for the comprehensive management of SSc patients. Moreover, MTD can improve communication and patients' empowerment while the presence of dedicated nurses can help patients to ask questions about their condition. The scope of this narrative review is to analyse the available evidences regarding the role of MDT in the management of SSc patients, and how this holistic approach may improve different disease domains and the overall prognosis. MDT regarding the cardiovascular and lung complication are the more represented in literature, given the great impact in prognosis. Nonetheless, MDT have been shown to be fundamental also in other disease domains as they can intercept early manifestations, thus stratifying patients based on the individual risks in order to personalize patients' follow-up. MDTs may also minimize the treatment delay, enabling fast-track specialist referral. On the other hand, there are few trials specifically studying MDT in SSc and several authors have highlight the lack of standardization.

Systemic Sclerosis Portends Increased Risk of Conduction and Rhythm Abnormalities at Diagnosis and During Disease Course: A US Population-Based Cohort

Objectives

To study the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of conduction and rhythm disorders in a population-based cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) vs. non-SSc comparators.

Methods

An incident cohort of patients with SSc (1980-2016) from Olmsted County, MN was compared to age- and sex-matched non-SSc subjects (1:2). Electrocardiograms (ECGs), Holter ECGs, and need for cardiac interventions were reviewed to determine the occurrence of any conduction or rhythm abnormalities.

Results

78 incident SSc cases and 156 comparators were identified (mean age 56 y, 91% female). The prevalence of any conduction disorder prior to SSc diagnosis compared to non-SSc subjects was 15% vs. 7% (p=0.06), and any rhythm disorder was 18% vs. 13% (p=0.33). During a median follow-up of 10.5 years in patients with SSc and 13.0 years in non-SSc comparators, conduction disorders developed in 25 patients with SSc with cumulative incidence of 20.5% (95% CI: 12.4-34.1%) vs. 28 non-SSc patients with cumulative incidence of 10.4% (95% CI: 6.2-17.4%) (HR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.48-4.45), while rhythm disorders developed in 27 patients with SSc with cumulative incidence of 27.3% (95% CI: 17.9-41.6%) vs. 43 non-SSc patients with cumulative incidence of 18.0% (95% CI: 12.3-26.4%) (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.00-2.64). Age, pulmonary hypertension and smoking were identified as risk factors.

Conclusion

Patients with SSc have an increased risk of conduction and rhythm disorders both at disease onset and over time, compared to non-SSc patients. These findings warrant increased vigilance and screening for ECG abnormalities in SSc patients with pulmonary hypertension.

The Prognostic Value of Right Atrial and Right Ventricular Functional Parameters in Systemic Sclerosis

Introduction

Right ventricular (RV) function is of particular importance in systemic sclerosis (SSc), since common SSc complications, such as interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension may affect RV afterload. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for measuring RV function. CMR-derived RV and right atrial (RA) strain is a promising tool to detect subtle changes in RV function, and might have incremental value, however, prognostic data is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of RA and RV strain in SSc.

Methods

In this retrospective study, performed at two Dutch hospitals, consecutive SSc patients who underwent CMR were included. RV longitudinal strain (LS) and RA strain were measured. Unadjusted cox proportional hazard regression analysis and likelihood ratio tests were used to evaluate the association and incremental value of strain parameters with all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 100 patients (median age 54 [46–64] years, 42% male) were included. Twenty-four patients (24%) died during a follow-up of 3.1 [1.8–5.2] years. RA reservoir [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.99, p = 0.009] and conduit strain (HR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.88–0.98, p = 0.008) were univariable predictors of all-cause mortality, while RV LS and RA booster strain were not. RA conduit strain proved to be of incremental value to sex, atrial fibrillation, NYHA class, RA maximum volume indexed, and late gadolinium enhancement (p < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

RA reservoir and conduit strain are predictors of all-cause mortality in SSc patients, whereas RV LS is not. In addition, RA conduit strain showed incremental prognostic value to all evaluated clinical and imaging parameters. Therefore, RA conduit strain may be a useful prognostic marker in SSc patients.

Sclerodermic Cardiomyopathy—A State-of-the-Art Review

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with unknown triggering factors, and complex pathophysiologic links which lead to fibrosis of skin and internal organs, including the heart, lungs, and gut. However, more than 100 years after the first description of cardiac disease in SSc, sclerodermic cardiomyopathy (SScCmp) is an underrecognized, occult disease with important adverse long-term prognosis. Laboratory tests, electrocardiography (ECG) and cardiovascular multimodality imaging techniques (transthoracic 2D and 3D echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and novel imaging techniques, including myocardial deformation analysis) provide new insights into the cardiac abnormalities in patients with SSc. This state-of-the-art review aims to stratify all the cardiac investigations needed to diagnose and follow-up the SScCmp, and discusses the epidemiology, risk factors and pathophysiology of this important cause of morbidity of the SSc patient.

Sex-related Differences in Systemic Sclerosis: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study From the National Registry of the Italian Society for Rheumatology

OBJECTIVE

There is still a great deal to learn about the influence of sex in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this respect, national registries provide large and homogeneous patient cohorts for analytical studies. We therefore investigated a wide-ranging and well-characterized SSc series with the aim of identifying sex differences in disease expression, with a special focus on demographic, clinical, and serological characteristics.

METHODS

A multicenter SSc cohort of 2281 patients, including 247 men, was recruited in the Italian Systemic sclerosis PRogression INvestiGation (SPRING) registry. Demographic data, disease manifestations, serological profile, and internal organ involvement were compared.

RESULTS

The overall female/male ratio was 8.2:1. Female/male ratios for limited cutaneous SSc, diffuse cutaneous SSc, and SSc sine scleroderma subsets were 8.7:1, 4.9:1, and 10.7:1, respectively. A shorter time from onset of Raynaud phenomenon to SSc diagnosis, an increased prevalence of the diffuse cutaneous subset, renal crisis, and digital ulcers were found in males, whereas a significantly higher percentage of sicca syndrome, serum antinuclear antibodies, antiextractable nuclear antigens, anti-La/SSB, and anticentromere protein B was detected in the female group. Males exhibited lower left ventricular ejection fraction, as well as higher prevalence of conduction blocks, arrhythmias, ground glass, and honeycombing. Moreover, forced vital capacity and total lung capacity were medially lower in men than in women. Finally, males were more frequently treated with immunosuppressive drugs.

CONCLUSION

Our study further supports the presence of several sex-related differences in patients with SSc. These differences were pronounced in the severity of cutaneous, peripheral vascular, and cardiopulmonary involvement for male patients, whereas an increased prevalence of sicca syndrome and a specific autoantibody profile characterized the female sex.

Detection of Lophomonas in pericardial effusion sample in a COVID-19 patient with systemic sclerosis: An unusual case report

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disorder that involves the skin and many other organs, such as the heart, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Cardiac involvement is in the form of pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and pulmonary hypertension. Several complications and super infections post-COVID-19 have been reported, such as fungal, bacterial infections, and Lophomonas blattarum. Lophomoniasis is an emerging pulmonary infection that mainly involves the lower respiratory tract. Herein, we present an ectopic Lophomonas infection in an unusual location (pericardial effusion) in a COVID-19 patient who had systemic sclerosis.

Neighborhood Poverty and Incident Heart Failure: an Analysis of Electronic Health Records from 2005 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Neighborhood-level characteristics, such as poverty, have been associated with risk factors for heart failure (HF), including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. However, the independent association between neighborhood poverty and incident HF remains understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between neighborhood poverty and incident HF using a "real-world" clinical cohort.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of electronic health records from a large healthcare network. Individuals' residential addresses were geocoded at the census-tract level and categorized by poverty tertiles based on American Community Survey data (2007-2011).

PARTICIPANTS

Patients from Northwestern Medicine who were 30-80 years, free of cardiovascular disease at index visit (January 1, 2005-December 1, 2013), and followed for at least 5 years.

MAIN MEASURES

The association of neighborhood-level poverty tertile (low, intermediate, and high) and incident HF was analyzed using generalized linear mixed effect models adjusting for demographics (age, sex, race/ethnicity) and HF risk factors (body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking status).

KEY RESULTS

Of 28,858 patients included, 75% were non-Hispanic (NH) White, 43% were men, 15% lived in a high-poverty neighborhood, and 522 (1.8%) were diagnosed with incident HF. High-poverty neighborhoods were associated with a 1.80 (1.35, 2.39) times higher risk of incident HF compared with low-poverty neighborhoods after adjustment for demographics and HF risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large healthcare network, incident HF was associated with neighborhood poverty independent of demographic and clinical risk factors. Neighborhood-level interventions may be needed to complement individual-level strategies to prevent and curb the growing burden of HF.

Early combination of pulmonary vasodilators prevents chronic kidney disease progression in connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary hypertension

AIM

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are interdependent for their development and exacerbation. We evaluated the effect of PH on CKD progression in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated PH.

METHODS

We reviewed consecutive patients with CTD who were diagnosed with PH with right heart catheter (RHC) examinations in our hospital. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the use of vasodilators: monotherapy or combination therapy. We further divided the patients with combination therapy into early and non-early combination groups. Early combination was defined as the addition of the second vasodilator within 1 month after starting the first drug. The clinical course of hemodynamics and CKD progression were compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were included in the analysis: 10 were treated with monotherapy and 28 with combination therapy (14 with early and 14 with non-early). At baseline, patients who received combination therapy had a significantly higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure with RHC and a higher right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) with echocardiography (P = .04) and showed a greater improvement in RVSP after treatment than those who underwent monotherapy. The incidence of CKD progression was significantly lower in patients who received combination therapy than in those who received monotherapy (P = .05). Among patients who received combination therapy, the early combination group had a lower incidence of CKD progression than the non-early combination group (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Early combination therapy is associated with a lower incidence of CKD progression in patients with CTD-associated PH.

Clinical assessment of cardiac impairment favored by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiology in patients with systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac involvement is a major cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc), while early detection remains a challenge.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical implications of cardiac impairment in SSc.

METHODS

95 consecutive SSc patients (55.6 ± 13.8 years old, 5.3 ± 8.1 years from diagnosis) were included in the study. Patients with heart diseases onset prior to SSc were excluded. All patients underwent two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiology (2D-STE) with measuring left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS/RGLS). Clinical manifestation, laboratory evaluation (CRP, cTnI, antibodies, etc.) and ECG were collected at the same time. Comparisons between the SSc subgroups (lcSSc and dcSSc) were performed using Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U or Fisher's exact test. Binary logistic regression was applied to determine the independent effects of variables in cardiac impairment.

RESULTS

Early left and right ventricular impairment measured by GLS and RGLS were detected in 22.1% and 24.2% of the SSc patients, respectively. In comparison, only 2.1% showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Impaired GLS was mainly observed in the basal and medial segments of anterior, lateral, and posterior left ventricle walls, and more profound in dcSSc. Elevated CRP (OR 3.561 95% CI (1.071-11.839), p< 0.05) was associated with reduced GLS/RGLS. The adoption of GLS/RGLS enhanced the efficacy of routine screening for cardiac impairment that 52.6% of patients showed potential cardiac impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac impairment is a common manifestation in SSc. Increasing awareness of early cardiac impairment is warranted with elevated CRP and dcSSc.

Update on the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

In the last decades, important advances have been made in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe, progressive, incurable, and potentially fatal disease. For an adequate therapy, correct hemodynamic diagnosis and etiology classification are fundamental. Many etiologies - rheumatic disease, portal hypertension, congenital heart diseases, schistosomiasis - require specific measures, in addition to drug therapy for PAH. The specific therapy for PAH is based on medications that act on three pathophysiological pathways - prostacyclin, endothelin, and nitric oxide pathways. These drugs have multiple presentations (oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, and inhaled) and have changed the history of PAH. This review presents an overview of drug therapy strategies and different forms and peculiarities of PAH.

ISHLT consensus document on lung transplantation in patients with connective tissue disease: Part II: Cardiac, surgical, perioperative, operative, and post-operative challenges and management statements

Patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) present unique surgical, perioperative, operative, and postoperative challenges related to the often underlying severe pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation-supported consensus document on lung transplantation in patients with CTD standardization addresses the surgical challenges and relevant cardiac involvement in the perioperative, operative, and postoperative management in patients with CTD.

French recommendations for the management of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a generalized disease of the connective tissue, arterioles, and microvessels, characterized by the appearance of fibrosis and vascular obliteration. There are two main phenotypical forms of SSc: a diffuse cutaneous form that extends towards the proximal region of the limbs and/or torso, and a limited cutaneous form where the cutaneous sclerosis only affects the extremities of the limbs (without passing beyond the elbows and knees). There also exists in less than 10% of cases forms that never involve the skin. This is called SSc sine scleroderma. The prognosis depends essentially on the occurrence of visceral damage and more particularly interstitial lung disease (which is sometimes severe), pulmonary arterial hypertension, or primary cardiac damage, which represent the three commonest causes of mortality in SSc. Another type of involvement with poor prognosis, scleroderma renal crisis, is rare (less than 5% of cases). Cutaneous extension is also an important parameter, with the diffuse cutaneous forms having less favorable prognosis.

Prevalence and prognostic significance of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in systemic sclerosis

Aim: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinically relevant complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to examine the prevalence, correlates and prognostic significance of HFpEF in an SSc population. Materials & methods: HFpEF was defined by the presence of exertional dyspnoea, abnormal cardiac structure (left ventricular hypertrophy or left atrial enlargement) and NT-proBN (>125 pg/ml). Results: Of the 155 studied patients, 27% had HFpEF criteria. These patients were older, had more cardiovascular risk factors, and were more likely to have atrial fibrillation or interstitial lung disease. Conclusion: Over a median follow-up of 9 years, SSc patients with HFpEF had a 3.4-fold increased risk of dying (HR: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.21-9.31), although this association has lost statistical significance after adjusting for age. On the contrary, NT-proBNP was an independent predictor of a worse prognosis.

Clinical outcomes of asymptomatic cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis patients after a 2-year follow-up (extended study)

BACKGROUND

Asymptomatic cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been reported. Long-term follow-up might elucidate the clinical implications of these abnormalities. The aim was to identify the clinical outcomes of asymptomatic cardiac involvement in SSc patients after 2 years of follow-up.

METHODS

A cohort study was done at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, on adult patients with SSc who completed the preliminary study. Repeated investigations included electrocardiography, chest radiography, echocardiography, and blood tests for creatine kinase-MB, high sensitivity cardiac troponin-T, and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide.

RESULTS

Seventy-four of the 103 patients from the previous study were enrolled. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.1±0.9 years. Five patients developed symptomatic cardiac involvement-all of whom had pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The incidence of symptomatic cardiac involvement for the combined 315 person-years was 1.6 per 100-person-years (95%CI 0.7-3.4). Fourteen patients died resulting in a mortality incidence of 4.4 per 100-person-years (95%CI 4.3-5.4). Persistent cardiac involvement was found in 35 patients for an incidence of 11.1 per 100-person-years (95%CI 8.0-15.5). Two of the patients who had persistent elevated cardiac enzyme developed PAH at a respective 3.7 and 39.4 months after the initial evaluation. None of the clinical parameters were predictive of symptomatic and persistent cardiac involvement. Only male sex was associated with mortality (hazard ratio 3.70; 95%CI 1.22-11.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac involvement in SSc can progress slowly or even be reversed. Based on a previous test, the incidence of symptomatic cardiac involvement after 2 years was low despite its being a persistent involvement. If symptomatic cardiac involvement develops, PAH is the most prevalent symptom.

Arrhythmias and Conduction Disturbances in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disorders

Rhythm and conduction disturbances and sudden cardiac death are important manifestations of cardiac involvement in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD), which have a serious impact on morbidity and mortality. While the underlying arrhythmogenic mechanisms are multifactorial, myocardial fibrosis plays a pivotal role. It accounts for a substantial portion of cardiac mortality and may manifest as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, conduction system abnormalities, biventricular cardiac failure or sudden death. In patients with ARD, myocardial fibrosis is considered to be the hallmark of cardiac involvement as a result of inflammatory process or to coronary artery occlusive disease. Myocardial fibrosis constitutes the pathological substrates for reentrant circuits. The presence of supraventricular extra systoles, tachyarrhythmias, ventricular activity and conduction disturbances are not uncommon in patients with ARDs, more often in systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory muscle disorders and anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis. In this review, the type, the relative prevalence and the underlying mechanisms of rhythm and conduction disturbances in the emerging field of cardiorheumatology are provided.

Association of Systemic Sclerosis and Periodontitis with Vitamin D Levels

The aim of the present study was to analyze the association among systemic sclerosis (SSc), periodontitis (PT); we also evaluated the impact of PT and SSc on vitamin D levels. Moreover, we tested the association with potential confounders. A total of 38 patients with SSc, 40 subjects with PT, 41 subjects with both PT and SSc, and 41 healthy controls were included in the study. The median vitamin D levels in PT subject were 19.1 (17.6-26.8) ng/mL, while SSc + PT group had vitamin d levels of 15.9 (14.7-16.9) ng/mL, significantly lower with respect to SSc patients (21.1 (15.4-22.9) ng/mL) and to healthy subjects (30.5 (28.8-32.3) ng/mL) (p < 0.001). In all subjects, vitamin D was negatively associated with c-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001) and with probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque score (PI) (p < 0.001 for all parameters) and positively related to the number of teeth (p < 0.001). Moreover, univariate regression analysis demonstrated an association among high low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol (p = 0.021), CRP (p = 0.014), and PT (p < 0.001) and reduced levels of vitamin D. The multivariate regression analysis showed that PT (p = 0.011) and CRP (p = 0.031) were both predictors of vitamin D levels. Subjects with PT and SSc plus PT had significant lower vitamin D values with respect to SSc and to healthy subjects. In addition, PT seems negatively associated with levels of vitamin D in all analyzed patients.

Increased Risk of Valvular Heart Disease in Systemic Sclerosis: An Underrecognized Cardiac Complication

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac involvement is a poor prognostic marker in systemic sclerosis (SSc). While diastolic dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and arrhythmias are traditionally considered features of primary cardiac involvement in SSc, the incidence of valvular heart disease (VHD) is not well reported. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of VHD at the time of SSc diagnosis and incidence of VHD during follow-up compared to non-SSc subjects.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with suspicion of SSc were reviewed to identify incident cases. SSc subjects were matched 1:2 by age and sex to non-SSc subjects.

RESULTS

The study included 78 incident SSc cases and 156 non-SSc comparators (56 yrs [± 15.7], 91% female). A nearly 4-fold increase in the prevalence of moderate/severe VHD prior to SSc diagnosis compared to non-SSc subjects (6% vs 0%; P = 0.004) was identified. During follow-up, 18 SSc and 12 non-SSc patients developed moderate/severe VHD. The cumulative incidence of VHD at 10 years after SSc incidence/index was 17.9% (95% CI 10.7-29.9) in patients with SSc compared with 2.3% (95% CI 0.7-7.0) in non-SSc subjects (HR 4.23, 95% CI 2.03-8.83). Coronary artery disease was the only significant risk factor for VHD.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SSc have a 4-fold increase in the prevalence of moderate/severe VHD at diagnosis compared to non-SSc patients. They also have a 4-fold increased risk of developing moderate/severe VHD after diagnosis of SSc. Aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation have a much higher prevalence in patients with SSc, besides secondary tricuspid regurgitation. Underlying mechanisms for this association require further elucidation.

Essential Hypertension Worsens Left Ventricular Contractility in Systemic Sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Primary cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is prevalent and morbid; however, the influence of traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, such as essential hypertension (HTN), are unclear. In the present study, we sought to understand the effects of HTN on left ventricular (LV) contractility in patients with SSc using echocardiographic speckle-derived global longitudinal strain (GLS).

METHODS

Fifty-six SSc patients with HTN (SSc+HTN+) and 82 SSc patients without HTN (SSc+ HTN-) were compared with 40 non-SSc controls with HTN (SSc-HTN+) and 40 non-SSc controls without HTN (SSc-HTN-), matched by age and sex. All HTN patients were on stable antihypertensive therapies. Echocardiographic measures included LV (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial volume index (LAVI), and LV diastolic function. LV contractility was assessed by GLS, averaged across the 18 LV segments.

RESULTS

Patients with SSc had diminished GLS regardless of HTN status when compared to both control groups, despite normal LVEF (P < 0.001). SSc+HTN+ had the highest prevalence of diastolic dysfunction, with significantly higher septal E/e´, a marker of LV filling pressures (P < 0.05), as well as the largest reduction in GLS compared to SSc+HTN- and both control groups.

CONCLUSION

Speckle-derived strain revealed diminished LV contractility in patients with SSc, despite normal LVEF. SSc+HTN+ had more prominent reductions in GLS associated with evidence of LV remodeling and worsened diastolic function. Our findings demonstrate the presence of subclinical LV contractile dysfunction in SSc that is further exacerbated by concomitant HTN, thereby identifying HTN as an important modifiable CV risk factor that should be managed aggressively in this at-risk population.

Imaging in Diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis in skin and internal organs, progressive vascular obliteration, and the production of autoantibodies. Diagnostic imaging is irreplaceable in both diagnosing and monitoring patients suffering from systemic sclerosis. In addition to routinely used methods, such as comparative X-ray of the hands or a contrast-enhanced examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract or chest, there is an array of less widespread examinations, with an emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, not only in the evaluation of the musculoskeletal system. This article will review the various imaging modalities available for SSc imaging and assessment, focusing on their utility as tissue-specific diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Clinical Outcomes of Myocarditis after Moderate-Dose Steroid Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

Background

Myocarditis is reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc); however, treatment options and outcomes are limited. Our objective was to define cardiac outcomes after moderate-dose steroid therapy in SSc patients with myocarditis.

Method

An open-label study was conducted among SSc patients with myocarditis—as defined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), disease onset <5 years, and a NYHA functional class ≥II. All enrolled patients received prednisolone (30 mg/d) which would be tapered off by week 24, and CMR was followed up at the end of treatment.

Results

A total of 20 SSc patients were enrolled which 12 patients completed the study. At week 24, 8 of the 12 cases experienced improvement of myocarditis. Compared to those with no improvement, these 8 patients had significantly longer disease duration (p = 0.03), higher heart rate at baseline (p = 0.049) and week 24 (p = 0.04), lower left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) stroke volume at baseline (p = 0.002 and p = 0.01) and week 24 (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02), and lower LV and RV cardiac output at week 24 (p = 0.01 and p = 0.01). Four cases died during follow-up (3 due to cardiac complications, 1 due to renal crisis). The two who died from heart failure had very high NT-prohormone-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and impaired LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and the one who died from arrhythmia had very high sensitivity of cardiac Troponin-T (hs-cTnT).

Conclusions

Moderate-dose steroid therapy may improve myocarditis in SSc. A proportion of patients died due to cardiac complications during treatment, particularly those with high hs-cTnT, high NT-proBNP, and impaired LVEF. This trial is registered with NCT03607071.

The Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis: An Understanding Based on a Common Pathologic Cascade across Multiple Organs and Additional Organ-Specific Pathologies

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune and vascular disease resulting in fibrosis of various organs with unknown etiology. Accumulating evidence suggests that a common pathologic cascade across multiple organs and additional organ-specific pathologies underpin SSc development. The common pathologic cascade starts with vascular injury due to autoimmune attacks and unknown environmental factors. After that, dysregulated angiogenesis and defective vasculogenesis promote vascular structural abnormalities, such as capillary loss and arteriolar stenosis, while aberrantly activated endothelial cells facilitate the infiltration of circulating immune cells into perivascular areas of various organs. Arteriolar stenosis directly causes pulmonary arterial hypertension, scleroderma renal crisis and digital ulcers. Chronic inflammation persistently activates interstitial fibroblasts, leading to the irreversible fibrosis of multiple organs. The common pathologic cascade interacts with a variety of modifying factors in each organ, such as keratinocytes and adipocytes in the skin, esophageal stratified squamous epithelia and myenteric nerve system in gastrointestinal tract, vasospasm of arterioles in the heart and kidney, and microaspiration of gastric content in the lung. To better understand SSc pathogenesis and develop new disease-modifying therapies, it is quite important to understand the complex pathogenesis of SSc from the two distinct perspectives, namely the common pathologic cascade and additional organ-specific pathologies.

Electrocardiographic markers for the prediction of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with systemic sclerosis

SSc is an autoimmune disease characterized by microvascular damage, endothelial dysfunction and fibrosis of the skin and the internal organs. Cardiac manifestation in patients with SSc is one of the major organ involvements. Approximately 20% of SSc patients suffer from primary cardiovascular disease and another 20% may have secondary cardiac involvement. Although cardiac arrhythmias are mostly linked to myocardial fibrosis, atrioventricular conduction abnormalities are secondary to the fibrosis of the pulse conduction system. Despite the severe consequences of ventricular rhythm disturbances in patients with SSc, the exact role of electrocardiographic markers in the prediction of these arrhythmias has not yet been clearly elucidated. Therefore, the question is whether certain ECG parameters reflecting ventricular repolarization may help to recognize scleroderma patients with increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

The relationship between global longitudinal strain and pulmonary function tests in patients with scleroderma and normal ejection fraction and pulmonary artery pressure: a case-control study

This study examined the relationship between global longitudinal strain (GLS) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) and normal ejection fraction (EF) and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and healthy controls. Sixty patients in two groups underwent extensive screening, including echocardiography, physical examination, the modified Rodnan Skin Score, and pulmonary function tests. Pulmonary interstitial disease was diagnosed by the pulmonary function test and by CT scan in case of indication. GLS score was computed as the mean peak systolic strain for 17 segments. The mean GLS score was - 18.36 ± 2.1 in the case group and - 20.66 ± 1.6 in the control group (P value < 0.001). GLS scores had a significant inverse relationship with the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (P value = 0.049) and both FEV and FVC in patients younger than 35 years old (P = 0.046 and 0.049, respectively). GLS scores had no significant relationship with time elapsed since the onset of skin manifestations, and Raynaud phenomenon, Rodnan score, EF, systolic PAP, or the six-minute walk test results. The patients' six-minute walk test had a significant positive relationship with FVC and right ventricular end diastolic diameter (P value = 0.018 and 0.047, respectively). According to our findings, GLS is significantly lower in patients with SS (with normal EF & PAP) than in healthy individuals. It is also related with certain pulmonary function indices including FEV1/FVC. The reduction in GLS is associated with reduced pulmonary function strength.

Systemic sclerosis - multidisciplinary disease: clinical features and treatment

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of still not fully understood pathogenesis. Fibrosis, vascular wall damage, and disturbances of innate and acquired immune responses with autoantibody production are prominent features. Systemic sclerosis has specific subsets with different autoantibodies, and differences in the affected skin areas. The suspicion of systemic sclerosis and establishing the diagnosis will be facilitated by the criteria created by EULAR/ACR experts. The treatment of this autoimmune disease remains a challenge for clinicians and new therapeutic options are constantly sought. The occurrence of various symptoms and the involvement of many organs and systems make systemic sclerosis a multidisciplinary disease and require a holistic approach. The present article summarizes different clinical features of systemic sclerosis and the profile of autoantibodies and discusses recent rules and future perspectives in disease management.

Defining primary systemic sclerosis heart involvement: A scoping literature review

BACKGROUND

Clinically evident primary heart involvement due to systemic sclerosis (SHI) is considered a poor prognostic factor and is a leading cause of systemic sclerosis (SSc) related death. Yet, there remains no consensus definition of SHI and poor understanding of the natural history and risk factors for the development of SHI.

METHODS

We performed a scoping literature review of published articles with a primary focus of SHI to capture previously used definitions of SHI and items used to measure SHI. Any factors reported to be associated with an increased risk of SHI were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 2436 records identified in a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed databases, 295 were included in the final scoping review. Analysis of the literature revealed studies of variable quality, generally low patient numbers and highly heterogeneous definitions of SHI within studies. There is no clear consensus from the literature as to the scope of SHI and the prognostic significance of sub-clinical investigation abnormalities commonly detected.

CONCLUSION

The lack of a standardised definition of SHI remains a significant unmet need in SSc. The results of this review will assist in the development of consensus classification criteria to enable more accurate quantification of the burden of SHI, identification of factors associated with increased risk of developing SHI, and evaluation of the efficacy of any novel therapeutic strategies.

B-type Natriuretic Peptide as a Marker of Different Forms of Systemic Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease which affects various tissues and organs, including skin, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. Cardiac involvement is the most commonly recognized problem and a significant cause of morbidity. The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a previously known marker of elevated cardiovascular risk in SSc, but the levels of BNP in various forms of SSc have not been investigated so far.

AIM

The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of SSc on the function of the right ventricle and the right atrium using the echocardiographic parameters. Moreover, we examined the levels of BNP in different forms of SSc as well as the association of disease severity with the plasma concentrations of BNP.

METHODS

We included 42 patients with newly diagnosed SSc and patients whose disease had been diagnosed earlier. SSc patients and non-SSc control patients were examined by using echocardiography and the concentrations of BNP were determined.

RESULTS

We analyzed differences in the parameters of right ventricle (RV) function and right atrium (RA) function between SSc patients and healthy controls. The two groups had similar distribution of gender, but SSc patients were significantly older than controls. RV wall thickness was increased in SSc patients (p<0.001), while right ventricular end-systolic area (RVESA; p=0.408) and right ventricular end-diastolic area (RVEDA; p=0.368) did not differ among the examinees. In contrast, RA minor-axis dimension (p=0.001) and the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (p=0.001) were significantly higher in SSc patients. Also, we analyzed differences in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations between diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (DSSc) and limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (LSSc) patients. DSSc patients had significantly higher concentrations of BNP. We found that levels of BNP were in significant positive correlations with age (p=0.007), disease duration (p=0.023), C reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.032), right ventricle fractional area change (FAC) (p=0.022), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and Rodnan score (p=0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the obtained results, the laboratory determination of BNP could be useful in differentiating different forms of systemic sclerosis as well as in predicting the severity of the disease and future cardiovascular complications.

Update on assessment and management of primary cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis

Primary cardiac involvement is a common and severe complication of systemic sclerosis, which may affect all of the hearts' structural components, including pericardium, myocardium, endocardium, cardiac valves, and conduction system. While cardiac disease can be clinically silent and only diagnosed in autopsy, new imaging modalities such as speckle-tracking echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance may reveal various abnormal findings in the majority of patients. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance evaluation should include assessment of left and right ventricular function, inflammation (STIR T2-weighted sequences (T2-W) for edema detection), and fibrosis (T1-weighted sequences 15 min after Gd-DTPA contrast medium injection (late-gadolinium enhancement). Notably, cardiac disease is responsible for about one-fourth of systemic sclerosis-related deaths. Systematic studies for the assessment and therapy of systemic sclerosis-related cardiac complications, as well as relevant guidelines from the European League Against Rheumatism and the American College of Rheumatology, are currently lacking. However, research advances reviewed herein allow for a better understanding of the mechanisms that alter cardiac function. Implementation of such knowledge should reduce cardiac morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis patients.

Lung transplantation in systemic sclerosis: A single center cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Lung transplantation (LT) has been proposed as a treatment for advanced interstitial lung disease (ILD) and/or pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated to systemic sclerosis (SSc) but few studies have been reported. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features, complications and survival of a single-center cohort of patients with SSc that underwent LT and to compare their survival with a group of non-SSc transplanted patients.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with SSc were transplanted between May 2005 and April 2015. Standard international criteria were used to determine eligibility for LT. The severity of gastroesophageal involvement was not considered as a major contraindication if symptoms were under control.

RESULTS

Eight (53.3%) patients had diffuse cutaneous SSc. Eleven (73%) underwent bilateral LT. The main indication for LT was ILD, with or associated PH in 4 cases. Acute cellular rejection and infections were the most frequent complications. Functional lung tests tended to keep stable after transplantation. Median survival was 2.4 years (Q1-Q3: 0.7-3.7 years). We did not find differences in survival between patients transplanted with SSc versus those transplanted due to non-SSc ILD or PH. SSc complications were scarce with no patient developing PH after LT.

CONCLUSIONS

LT was an effective treatment for advanced ILD and/or PH associated to SSc in our study. Gastroesophageal reflux was not a limitation for LT in SSc in this study. Complications and survival did not differ from non-SSc patients undergoing LT.

Innovative Clinical Trial Designs for Precision Medicine in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

A major challenge in the care of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the lack of proven therapies due to disappointing results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The heterogeneity of the HFpEF syndrome and the use of conventional RCT designs are possible reasons underlying the failure of these trials. There are several factors-including the widespread adoption of electronic health records, decreasing costs of obtaining high-dimensional data, and the availability of a wide variety of potential therapeutics-that have evolved to enable more innovative clinical trial designs in HFpEF. Here, we review the current landscape of HFpEF RCTs and present several innovative RCT designs that could be implemented in HFpEF, including enrichment trials, adaptive trials, umbrella trials, basket trials, and machine learning-based trials (including examples for each). Our hope is that the description of the aforementioned innovative trial designs will stimulate new approaches to clinical trials in HFpEF.

Cardiopulmonary assessment of patients with systemic sclerosis for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: recommendations from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Autoimmune Diseases Working Party and collaborating partners

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disabling autoimmune disease with a similar mortality to many cancers. Two randomized controlled trials of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for SSc have shown significant improvement in organ function, quality of life and long-term survival compared to standard therapy. However, transplant-related mortality (TRM) ranged from 3–10% in patients undergoing HSCT. In SSc, the main cause of non-transplant and TRM is cardiac related. We therefore updated the previously published guidelines for cardiac evaluation, which should be performed in dedicated centers with expertize in HSCT for SSc. The current recommendations are based on pre-transplant cardiopulmonary evaluations combining pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and invasive hemodynamic testing, initiated at Northwestern University (Chicago) and subsequently discussed and endorsed within the EBMT ADWP in 2016.

Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis: differences between clinical subsets and influence on survival

Cardiac involvement (CI) is a known complication of SSc associated with increased mortality. Our objective was to describe a cohort of patients with SSc and CI and to assess the differences between cutaneous subsets regarding their presentation and survival. Three hundred and ninety-three Spanish patients from a single center, diagnosed with SSc, were retrospectively studied for evidence of CI using noninvasive and invasive tests from 1976 to 2011. Clinical, epidemiological, immunological and therapeutic features of patients with CI were compared to those without it and within the different cutaneous subsets of SSc. CI was present in 173 (44 %) patients. Mitral regurgitation (67 %), conduction alterations (45 %) and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction (40 %) were the most common findings. Pericardial involvement and heart failure were more frequent in diffuse SSc (dcSSc) than in limited or sine scleroderma SSc. CI accounted for 20 % of deaths, and it was an independent mortality risk factor (HR 2.1, P = 0.02), but once CI was established, classical dcSSc mortality risk factors determined mortality. Patients with dcSSc developed CI faster than limited (HR 1.9, P = 0.003) or sine SSc patients (HR 2.5, P = 0.002), specially during the first year after SSc onset. We found statistically significant differences between the 3 SSc subsets in the presentation of pericardial involvement and heart failure. CI increased the mortality and appeared at a higher rate, especially during the first year after SSc onset. Screening for heart involvement should be performed at diagnosis and during follow-up.