The cardiac magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of cardiac Raynaud phenomenon in a patient with systemic sclerosis: case report and review of literature

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2016;12(3):251-5. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2016.1134320. Epub 2016 Jan 6.

Abstract

Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is the hallmark of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Visceral RP has also been proposed in SSc patients. Cardiac Raynaud's phenomenon (C-RP) was evaluated in a few clinical studies both as cold-induced transient myocardial ischaemia and as presence of advanced myocardial fibrosis and contraction band necrosis in autopsied patients. Until today numerous techniques, such as scintigraphy and myocardial contrast echocardiography, have been used to evaluate C-RP. In this case report for the first time we have used Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) after cold test to demonstrate the presence of the C-RP. In addition we have shown that therapy with Iloprost can be used to reduce episodes of C-RP.

Keywords: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance; Cardiac Raynaud’s phenomenon; Systemic sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Female
  • Fibrosis
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Iloprost / therapeutic use
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / complications
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / drug therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Raynaud Disease / complications
  • Raynaud Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Raynaud Disease / drug therapy
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Iloprost