Key result
Systemic sclerosis without cardiac symptoms is linked to a ~35 msec longer QTc interval.
Why the study?
Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality, with electrocardiographic abnormalities being considered an independent predictor of mortality.
Does systemic sclerosis prolong the QTc interval and correlate with nailfold capillary density in patients without cardiac symptoms?
Case-Control (n=44)
No
Does systemic sclerosis prolong the QTc interval and correlate with nailfold capillary density in patients without cardiac symptoms?
Systemic sclerosis is associated with prolonged QTc intervals even in asymptomatic patients, and this prolongation correlates with the severity of microvascular damage as assessed by nailfold capillaroscopy.
May warrant ECG screening in asymptomatic systemic sclerosis; leaves open arrhythmia risk and microvascular correlations.
Introduction: Cardiac involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Electrocardiographic abnormal findings are identified in 25-75% of SSc patients, being considered an independent predictor of mortality.
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Alexandru Caraba (2019) conducted a case-control in Systemic Sclerosis (n=44). Systemic Sclerosis vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on QTc interval (msec) (p=< 0.01). Systemic sclerosis patients without cardiac symptoms had a significantly prolonged QTc interval compared to healthy controls (455.31 vs 420.68 msec, p<0.01).
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