Association Between Nailfold Capillaroscopic Findings and Tissue-Doppler Echocardiography in Systemic Sclerosis Patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between nailfold capillaroscopic (NFC) findings and cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) using tissue Doppler echocardiography. Patients and Methods: Clinical, laboratory, NFC and echocardiographic examination were done for 30 SSc patients. Results: There was statistically significant difference between the three scleroderma pattern groups in terms of LV EF (left ventricle ejection fraction), PW (pulsed wave), Mit DT (mitral deceleration time), TAPSE (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion), Mit A (Peak late transmitral filling velocity), Mit E/A, Tr E/A (ratio of early and late transmitral and transtricuspid filling velocities) and sPAP (systolic pulmonary artery pressure) when assessed using conventional echocardiography. There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of Em (early diastolic wave), Sm (myocardial systolic wave), Em/Am (late diastolic wave) and ET (ejection time) when assessed using tissue Doppler echocardiography. There was a significant strong correlation between capillary density and Em and moderate correlation between capillary density and Sm, Em/Am, Et, St (systolic time) and Et/At (acceleration time). There was a moderate correlation between avascular areas and Em/Am and St and between capillary neoangiogenesis and Sm, Em/Am, Et/At. Conclusion: Systolic and diastolic dysfunction were more common in late scleroderma pattern patients. Lower capillary density increased avascular areas and capillary neoangiogenesis were associated with cardiac dysfunction in SSc patients.