title: Advanced systemic sclerosis complicated by pulmonary hypertension and complete atrioventricular block: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology characterized by fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs, in which the heart is frequently (40-70% of patients) and severely involved. Pulmonary hypertension affects 10-15% of patients with SSc and is one of the most important complications adversely influencing their survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case report presents a 59-year-old male patient with advanced systemic sclerosis whose initial examination revealed pulmonary hypertension, rhythm and atrioventricular conduction disturbances, and elevated level of NT-proBNP. After six months the patient deteriorated; an increase in NT-proBNP level and progression of pulmonary hypertension were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The described case is followed by a discussion of cardiovascular involvement in systemic sclerosis and emphasizes that heart involvement in SSc may have very serious clinical implications.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. mciurzyn@amwaw.edu.pl
authors: Michał
authors: M
authors: Ciurzyński
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Bienias
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Szewczyk
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Lichodziejewska
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Błaszczyk
authors: Danuta
authors: D
authors: Liszewska-Pfejfer
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Pruszczyk
mesh_terms: D006327:Heart Block / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000150:complications; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*