{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The presence of abnormal septal motion on echocardiography is a predictor of abnormal cardiac magnetic resonance in systemic sclerosis.
{Author}: Javady-Nejad Z;Jamshidi AR;Aletaha A;Qorbani M;Kavosi H;Soltani A;Gharibdoost F;
{Journal}: Rheumatology (Oxford)
{Volume}: 63
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: 2024 Feb 1
{Factor}: 7.046
{DOI}: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead235
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>We aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis of the ECG, two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and cardiac MRI (CMR) findings in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and also to investigate correlations between CMR findings and some ECG and echocardiography (ECHO) results.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We retrospectively analysed data from patients with SSc who were regularly seen at our outpatient referral centre, all assessed with ECG, Doppler ECHO and CMR.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Ninety-three patients were included; mean (s.d.) age of 48.5 (10.3) years, 86% female, 52% diffuse SSc. Eighty-four (90%) of the patients had sinus rhythm. The most common ECG finding was the left anterior fascicular block, recorded in 26 patients (28%). The abnormal septal motion (ASM) was found in 43 (46%) patients on ECHO. Myocardial involvement (inflammation or fibrosis), as assessed by multiparametric CMR, was present in >50% of our patients. The age- and sex-adjusted model showed that ASM on ECHO increased significantly the odds of increased extracellular volume [odds ratio (OR) 4.43, 95% CI 1.73, 11.38], increased T1 Relaxation time (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.09, 6.54), increased T2 Relaxation time (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.05, 6.22), increased signal intensity ratio in T2-weighted imaging (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.05, 6.22), presence of late gadolinium enhancement (OR 3.85, 95% CI 1.52, 9.76) and mid-wall fibrosis (OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.48, 8.96).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This study indicates that the presence of ASM on ECHO is a predictor of abnormal CMR in SSc patients, and a precise assessment of ASM may serve as an important point for selecting the patients that should be evaluated by CMR for early detection of myocardial involvement.