Is cystatin C an evaluative marker for right heart functions in systemic sclerosis?

摘要

Background/objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive autoimmune disorder with multi-organ involvement. Patients who have SSc are at risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and right heart failure. Impaired right heart hemodynamic function is the most powerful predictor of mortality in these patients. We assessed the interactions between levels of NT-proBNP, cystatin C, and right ventricular functions in SSc patients without significant PAH.