Role of autonomic dysfunction in the regulation of myocardial blood flow in systemic sclerosis evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance
Aim: Autonomic dysfunction (AD) is an early feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc). A regular endothelial function is a prerequisite for normal response of the myocardial blood flow (MBF) to cold pressure test (CPT). The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between MBF and AD at rest and after CPT in asymptomatic SSc patients. Methods: Twenty SSc patients and 10 age-, sex- and body mass index-matched healthy controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance at rest and after CPT.