Combined peripheral and central ultrasound for diagnosis of PAH-SSc
patients.
Abstract
Background: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), an intricate autoimmune
disease causing tissue fibrosis, introduces cardiovascular complexities,
notably pulmonary hypertension (PH), affecting both survival and quality
of life. This study centers on evaluating echocardiographic parameters
and endothelial function using Flow Mediated Dilatation (FMD) in SSc
patients, aiming to differentiate those with and without pulmonary
arterial hypertension (PAH). The emphasis lies in early detection, given
the heightened vulnerability of the right ventricle in the presence of
PH. Methods: 59 SSc patients and 48 healthy subjects
participated, undergoing clinical examinations, echocardiography, FMD
assessments, blood analyses, and, when necessary, right heart
catheterization (RHC). Results: SSc-PAH patients displayed
lower FMD, increased TAPSE <18 mm, RA area >18
cm2, and TRV >280 cm/sec compared to those without PAH and
healthy controls. Resting Resistivity Index (RI) was higher in SSc
patients, with no significant difference between those with and without
PAH. Lower FMD% serves as a predictive marker for adverse
cardiovascular outcomes in both SSc and SSc-PAH patients. Stratification
by TRV levels and PAH presence reveals notable FMD% variations,
emphasizing its potential utility. Conclusions: Early
identification of endothelial dysfunction and echocardiographic
parameters, such as TAPSE and TRV, could aid in predicting right
ventricular dysfunction and PAH in SSc patients.