Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function by Echocardiography with Tissue Doppler in Systemic Sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a connective tissue abnormality characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Cardiac involvement with consequent myocardial dysfunction in SS is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Objective: To investigate the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with SS and preserved systolic function.