LEFT-VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN SC LERODERMIA SYSTEMATICA AS ASSESSED BY RADIONUCLIDE VENTRICULOGRAPHY

To assess left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in sclerodermia sys tematica (SS) with regard to SS course and skin lesion degree, a total of 24 SS patients were examined versus control subjects. Though cardi ac symptoms manifested clinically only in 8 patients, parameters of LV diastolic function underwent changes in the majority of the examiness : the time to attaining maximal filling velocity increased, contributi on of the first diastolic third to LV filling diminished, hemodynamic significance of the left atrial systole grew. More pronounced dysfunct ion of the myocardium occurred in patients with diffuse skin lesions, acute and subacute disease who also appeared to have reduced LV ejecti on fraction. The conclusion is made on frequent subclinical pattern of myocardial involvement in SS patients which runs primarily as LV dyas tolic dysfunction. Systolic disturbances emerge later or in more activ e forms.