LEFT-VENTRICULAR MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION AND FUNCTION IN SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS BEFORE AND AFTER DILTIAZEM TREATMENT

To examine left ventricular (LV) myocardial perfusion and function, in systemic sclerosis. Myocardial perfusion was assessed at rest, during cold exposure, and at peak exercise in 10 patients with systemic scle rosis. Seven of the 10 patients were examined with Doppler echocardiog raphy; before and after long-term diltiazem treatment. Compared with a verage resting values, isotope uptake was increased by 48% after exerc ise, compared with cold exposure the exercise value was increased by 3 5%. After 11 months of diltiazem treatment there was no change in myoc ardial uptake, compared with respective values before treatment. Doppl er echocardiography showed an increase in LV end-diastolic diameter, f ractional shortening, and left ventricular outflow tract velocity, aft er treatment. This indicates that long-term diltiazem treatment does n ot increase myocardial perfusion at rest, post-exercise, or during col d exposure. On the other hand diltiazem treatment may improve left ven tricular performance.