Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis

Stress Echocardiography in the Early Identification of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of stress echocardiography, compared to standard echocardiography in the early identification of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis. To evaluate the role of BNP in this setting.To analyze data recorded with respect to the parameters commonly used for SSc evaluation (eg thorax HRCT, pulmonary function tests + DLCO, nailfold capillaroscopy, etc); these parameters are available starting for 1999.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with systemic sclerosis according to LeRoy criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Significant valvular disease
• Low left ventricular function upon echocardiography (ejection fraction<55%)
• History of atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, pulmonary thromboembolisms, neoplasia or severe hepatic disease.