The possible role of myocardial biopsy in systemic sclerosis

The histopathological features of heart involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are not widely known. In internal and transplantation medicine, myocardial biopsies are increasingly used to diagnose cardiomyopathies including myocarditis. In two SSc patients presenting with dyspnoea with no evidence...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rheumatology (Oxford, England) England), 2000-06, Vol.39 (6), p.674-679
Main Authors: Liangos, O., Neure, L., Kühl, U., Pauschinger, M., Sieper, J., Distler, A., Schwimmbeck, P. L., Braun, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy
Cardiovascular system
CD3 Complex - analysis
Female
Fibrosis - etiology
Fibrosis - pathology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Myocarditis - etiology
Myocarditis - pathology
Myocardium - metabolism
Myocardium - pathology
Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques
Scleroderma, Systemic - complications
Scleroderma, Systemic - pathology
T-Lymphocytes - pathology
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Summary:The histopathological features of heart involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are not widely known. In internal and transplantation medicine, myocardial biopsies are increasingly used to diagnose cardiomyopathies including myocarditis. In two SSc patients presenting with dyspnoea with no evidence of pulmonary involvement, the cause of the compromised heart function was sought by myocardial biopsy. Immunohistological analysis revealed an increased number of CD3+ + T cells indicating myocarditis in one, and increased amounts of fibroblasts in both SSc patients. The authors think that myocardial involvement in SSc should be differentially evaluated and they propose the use of myocardial biopsies as a tool to distinguish between inflammatory and fibrotic forms of heart involvement in SSc patients.
ISSN:1462-0324
1462-0332
DOI:10.1093/rheumatology/39.6.674