Pulmonary Circulation on the Crossroads Between the Left and Right Heart in Systemic Sclerosis

Involvement of the right heart –pulmonary circulation system in systemic sclerosis is a typical feature, with critical prognostic implications. Pulmonary hypertension may occur in association with interstitial lung disease or as a result of an isolated pulmonary vascular disease that may affect both the precapillary arterioles and the postcapillary venules, as well as a consequence of left heart involvement. These apparently different phenotypes often underlie a significant pathophysiologic overlap, which makes the diagnosis and management of these patients highly complex and uncertain.
Source: Heart Failure Clinics - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research