[Cardiac manifestations of diffuse systemic scleroderma. Apropos of 4 cases]

Abstract

Based on a series of four cases and a review of the literature, the authors describe the lesions of the various cardiac tissues in the course of systemic scleroderma. Pericardial involvement presents in the form of either acute pericarditis or chronic pericarditis. Pericardial tamponade is exceptional. Sclerodermal cardiomyopathy is frequent and serious and can be responsible for heart failure. Arrhythmias are frequent and may be either ventricular or supraventricular. Involvement of the conduction tissue often requires implantation of a pacemaker. Endocardial and valvular involvement is very rare. Lastly, coronary involvement appears to be fairly rare and responsible for vasospastic episodes in the coronary artery territory.