Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Coronary microvascular dysfunction in systemic sclerosis: insights from PET-derived myocardial flow reserve
Authors' conclusion
PET MPI reveals reduced MFR in SSc.
Study context
- Population
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients undergoing 82-Rubidium PET myocardial perfusion imaging, Yale New Haven Hospital, July 2016 to April 2025 (87% female, age 61 ± 11 years, 21% dcSSc)matched cohort
- Participants
- 67 vs 201
- Exposure
- SSc vs controls without autoimmune rheumatologic disease
- SScn = 67
- Controlsn = 201reference
- Outcome
- Prevalence of impaired MFR (abnormal MFR <2.0) and its association with vasodilator or immunomodulatory therapy
Methodological detailsmatched 3:1 on age, sex, BMI and cardiovascular comorbidities, single-centre, multivariable analysis
- Matched 3:1 on age, sex, BMI and cardiovascular comorbidities
- Single-centre
- Multivariable analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
MFR
SSc
2.17
IQR 1.84–2.57
Controls
2.44
IQR 1.96–2.96
P = 0.01
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Abnormal MFR (<2.0), treatment associations (multivariable)
| OR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MMF useRetrospective design | 0.09 (0.01–0.56) | P = 0.017 | |
| Calcium channel blockersRetrospective design | 7.77 (1.93–42.53) | P = 0.008 | |
| StatinsRetrospective design | 7.14 (1.86–36.87) | P = 0.008 | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
| Outcome | SSc | Controls | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rest MBFHigher in SSc | 1.14 (IQR 0.91–1.39) ml/g/min | 1.00 (IQR 0.78–1.25) | P = 0.01 |
- Stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) · similar
- P = 0.85
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Coronary microvascular dysfunction in systemic sclerosis: insights from PET-derived myocardial flow reserve. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 22 April 2026. doi:10.
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