In systemic sclerosis (SSc), fibrosis of the myocardium along with ongoing autoimmune
inflammation can alter the electric function of the cardiac myocytes, which may increase
the risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We analyzed the electrocardiographic
(ECG) variables describing ventricular repolarization such as QT interval, QT dispersion
(QTd), T wave peak-to-end interval (Tpe), and arrhythmogeneity index (AIX) of 26 patients
with SSc and 36 healthy controls. Furthermore, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters
were examined, with a focus on inflammatory proteins like C-reactive ptotein (CRP),
soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1
(sVCAM-1), and progranulin (PGRN). The CRP, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 levels were positively
correlated with the length of the QT interval. Although the serum PGRN levels were
not increased in the SSc group compared to the controls, in SSc patients, the PGRN
levels were positively correlated with the QT interval and the AIX. According to our
results, we conclude that there may be a potential association between autoimmune
inflammation and the risk for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with SSc. We emphasize
that the measurement of laboratory parameters of inflammatory activity including CRP,
PGRN, sVCAM-1, and sICAM-1 could be helpful in the prediction of sudden cardiac death
in patients with SSc.
