Myocardial involvement in generalized scleroderma.

Generalized scleroderma is no longer considered strictly a dermatosis, but rather a disease of the connective tissue of various organs and systems. The pathological changes characterizing scleroderma have been thoroughly described and reviewed by Beerman.4 Of recent years, numerous investigators”34’679’2’4’16’7’922 have emphasized the frequency of myocardial and pericardial involvement in generalized scleroderma. In fact, Weiss et al.22 pointed out that in their series of nine cases, three presented cardiovascular symptoms several years prior to the development of skin lesions and concluded that scleroderma heart disease is a clinical and pathological entity. Consequently, both the internist and dermatologist must be aware of the possibility of cardiovascular involvement in this disease. The purpose of this communication is to present an additional case of scleroderma heart disease. Case Report First Admission.