Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Longitudinal Changes in Cardiac Function Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis
Authors' conclusion
In patients with diffuse SSc, ASCT is associated with significant improvements in cardiac systolic function over time without adverse effects on diastolic function.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc) from the Leiden Systemic Sclerosis cohort, without overt cardiac or pulmonary involvement (mean age 44.1 ± 10.5 years; 52.3% female)matched cohort
- Exposure
- Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) vs matched SSc controls without ASCT
- ASCTn = 43
- Outcome
- Changes in LV function (LVEF, GLS, diastolic parameters) after ASCT
Methodological detailsmatched 1:1 on sex, age and disease duration, serial annual echocardiography
- Matched 1:1 on sex, age and disease duration
- Serial annual echocardiography
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Change in LV function over follow-up
Adjusted β (LV ejection fraction (LVEF))
1.59 %/y
P < 0.001
ASCT
Adjusted β (global longitudinal strain (GLS))
0.71 %/y
P < 0.001
ASCT
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean
| Outcome | ASCT | Controls | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline LVEF | 52.5% (SD 9.1%) | 56.1% (SD 6.3%) | P = 0.044 |
| Baseline LV GLS | 18.0% (SD 2.6%) | 19.5% (SD 2.5%) | P = 0.014 |
All-cause mortality by time-dependent changes in left ventricular (LV) GLS
- Time-dependent changes in LV GLS and all-cause mortality, aHR per %
- 0.73
- 95% CI
- 0.61-0.86
- P
- P = 0.0002
- Time-dependent changes in LVEF not independently associated with all-cause mortality
Diastolic parameters over time
- Remained stable over time in both groups
Original publication
Longitudinal Changes in Cardiac Function Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published 15 September 2026. doi:10.
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