Essential hypertension worsens left ventricular contractility in systemic sclerosis.

CONCLUSION: Speckle-derived strain revealed diminished LV contractility in SSc patients despite normal LVEF. SSc+HTN+ had more prominent reductions in GLS associated with evidence of LV remodeling and worsened diastolic function. Our findings demonstrate the presence of subclinical LV contractile dysfunction in SSc that is further exacerbated by concomitant HTN, thereby identifying HTN as an important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor that should be managed aggressively in this at-risk population. PMID: 33452172 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Journal of Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Tags: J Rheumatol Source Type: research