Mercurio V, Hinze AM, Hummers LK, et al. - In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), speckle-derived strain revealed diminished LV contractility, despite normal LV (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF). IT was found that SSc+ hypertension (HTN)+ had more prominent reductions in global longitudinal strain (GLS) correlated with evidence of LV remodeling and worsened diastolic function.

• The outcomes illustrate the presence of subclinical LV contractile dysfunction in SSc that is further exacerbated by concomitant HTN, thereby distinguishing HTN as an important modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factor that should be managed aggressively in this at-risk population.

• Despite normal LVEF, patients with SSc had diminished GLS regardless of HTN status when compared to both control groups.

• It was found that SSc+HTN+ had the highest prevalence of diastolic dysfunction, with significantly higher septal E/e´, a marker of LV filling pressures, as well as the largest reduction in GLS compared to SSc+HTN– and both control groups.