Dramatic improvement of severe dilated cardiomyopathy in an acromegalic patient after treatment with octreotide and trans-sphenoidal surgery

Severe congestive heart failure developed in an acromegalicpatient, and was successfully treated with octreotide followedby trans-sphenoidal surgery. Clinical, hormonal echocardiographicand haemodynamic findings as well as histological heart examinationbefore and after treatment revealed tliat over-production ofgrowth hormone may induce the myocardial cell degeneration responsiblefor mechanical heart dysfunction. In addition, this unique exampledemonstrates the reversibility of myocardial damage followingoctreotide and trans-sphenoidal surgery, leading to significantimprovement in cardiac function with minimal diastolic dysfunctionand moderate interstitial fibrosis.     

Influence of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation on Breathing Pattern Disorders in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is well-known in patients with congestive heart failure. One of the causes might be a prolonged circulation time or diminished pulmonary gas stores. Improvement of cardiac function by heart transplantation might abolish Cheyne-Stokes respiration. We examined 29 male patients (age 24 to 63 years) with polysomnographically verified Cheyne-Stokes respiration before and 3 to 9 weeks after orthotopic heart transplantation. All patients suffered from congestive heart disease. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was between 8 and 19% We analyzed sleep stages, respiratory events, oxygen saturation, and cardiac function (echocardiography and ergometry). Before heart transplantation all patients showed periodic breathing (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 13.2–51.6/h). Oxygen saturation dropped to a minimum of 63% Sleep was severely disturbed. After heart transplantation LVEF was significantly higher in all patients (x_mean = 64%). Twenty-three of 29 patients showed no more evidence of periodic breathing. However, even with normalized cardiac function, 6 patients still suffered from Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Cheyne-Stokes respiration is often associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. Our results demonstrate that normalization of cardiac function improves Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Even after normalization of cardiac function, some patients suffer from Cheyne-Stokes respiration further on. We suggest that breathing control centers may be permanently damaged in these patients.     

钠尿肽治疗重症充血性心力衰竭患者的疗效

目的: 观察脑钠尿肽（BNP）治疗重症充血性心力衰竭（CHF）患者的疗效。方法: 纽约心脏学会心功能分级IV级的重症CHF患者44例,在基础抗心衰治疗基础上,应用重组人BNP（rh-BNP）进行治疗,观察患者心率、血压、出入量、中心静脉压、肾功能、血浆BNP水平、左心室舒张末径（LVEDD）和左心室射血分数（LVEF）的变化,观察BNP的疗效。结果: 44例患者中40例患者心衰症状明显改善,总有效率91%。治疗后患者尿量明显增加,心率、中心静脉压、血浆BNP水平均较治疗前明显下降,LVEDD缩小,LVEF较治疗前升高,治疗前后血压和肾功能无明显改变。结论: 外源性rh-BNP的应用可以明显改善患者心衰症状。治疗重症CHF安全,可靠。     

OSAHS对老年慢性心力衰竭患者心功能的影响

目的探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)对老年慢性心力衰竭患者(CHF)心功能的影响。方法根据60例老年CHF患者的多导睡眠图监测将其分为CHF合并OSAHS组和CHF组,对比分析左心室射血分数(LEVF)、呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)、最低血氧饱和度(miniSPO2)及氧减饱和度指数(ODI)。结果与老年CHF组相比,观察组的LVEF较低且随AHI指数的增加而逐渐降低,两者呈负相关;miniSPO2以及ODI与AHI呈正相关。结论 OSAHS会加重老年CHF患者心功能的恶化,且会随其严重程度的增加而加剧。     

Long-term outcome of patients with acromegaly and congestive heart failure

Cardiovascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acromegaly. Normalization of GH secretion is associated with an improvement in structural and functional cardiac abnormalities. However, the long-term cardiac effects of treatment for acromegaly have not been studied in patients who have already developed chronic congestive heart failure (CHF).We reviewed the charts of 330 consecutive patients with acromegaly treated in two French and Belgian centers since 1985. Ten patients with both acromegaly and CHF (eight men, two women, mean age 49.7 yr) were studied retrospectively. One of them was excluded because CHF was due to severe aortic stenosis.CHF (New York Heart Association stages III-IV and echocardiography showing dilated hypokinetic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 45%) was diagnosed before, concomitantly, or after acromegaly in, respectively, two, five, and two patients. Three patients were referred with terminal heart failure requiring transplantation.One patient had transient CHF associated with a hypertensive crisis. The other eight patients had symptomatic chronic CHF. Control of GH hypersecretion failed, totally or partially, in three patients: one had a long-term survival, and the two others died at 1 and 5 yr. Good GH control was achieved in five patients: four of these are still alive 2-16 yr after diagnosis of CHF, their clinical status is stable or improved, and their quality of life is good. Overall, the 1- and 5-yr mortality (or transplantation) rates for patients with chronic symptomatic CHF were 25% (2 of 8 patients) and 37.5% (3 of 8 patients), respectively.In conclusion, less than 3% of acromegalic patients developed CHF in this study. Although effective treatment of acromegaly improved short-term cardiovascular status, its impact on long-term survival is questionable.     

氨基末端脑利钠肽前体和左心室射血分数在老年慢性充血性心力衰竭评估中的作用

目的探讨老年心力衰竭患者血浆氨基末端脑利钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)与纽约心功能分级(NYHA)的关系。方法入选2006年1月至2011年10月在我院住院的年龄≥60岁NYHAⅡ～Ⅳ级的慢性心力衰竭患者308例,分为收缩性心力衰竭(SHF)(LVEF<50%)组210例、射血分数正常的心力衰竭(HFNEF)(LVEF>50%)组98例,同期非心力衰竭住院无器质性心脏病患者150例作为对照组,采用电化学发光免疫法检测血浆NT-proBNP浓度,心脏彩色多普勒超声测定左心室结构和LVEF、左心室舒张功能(Ea/Aa)。结果血浆NT-proBNP水平随NYHA分级的增加而升高,二者呈正相关(r=0.862,P<0.01);LVEF与NYHA分级呈负相关(r=-0.614,P<0.05);血浆NT-ProBNP水平与LVEF无明显相关性(r=-0.136,P=0.09)。在SHF组NT-proBNP水平与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.735,P=0.008),在HFNEF组NT-proBNP水平与Ea/Aa呈正相关(r=0.614,P=0.009)。结论血浆NT-proBNP水平能较好地反映老年慢性心力衰竭患者的心功能状态,LVEF与NT-proBNP结合应用不仅能更好地反映患者心功能状态,同时有助于HFNEF的诊断。     

大内皮素-1和氨基末端脑钠肽前体与重度充血性心力衰竭相关性的临床观察

目的 探讨重度充血性心力衰竭（CHF）患者血浆大内皮素-1（BigET-1）和氨基末端脑钠肽前体（NT-proBNP）的变化规律及其与心功能的相关性.方法 将90例CHF患者分为轻度组与重度组.轻度组为美国纽约心脏病协会（NYHA）心功能分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ级的42例CHF患者,重度组为NYHA心功能分级Ⅲ～Ⅳ级的48例CHF患者.用酶联免疫吸附实验双抗体夹心法测定两组患者血浆BigET-1和NT-proBNP水平,并分析二者关系;彩色心脏超声测定左心室功能参数：左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左心室收缩末期内径（LVESD）和左室射血分数（LVEF）,并分析实验室指标与左心室功能参数的相关性.结果 重度组血浆BigET-1与NT-proBNP含量显著高于轻度组,差异有统计学意义[（2.13±0.58）fmol/ml比（1.08±0.35）fmol/ml,P＜0.01,（2885.2±1299.2）fmol/ml比（1165.8±333.2）fmol/ml,P＜0.01].重度组血浆BigET-1含量与LVEF、LVEDD、LVESD密切相关（r分别为-0.740、0.655和0.740,P均＜0.01）; NT-proBNP含量与LVEF、LVEDD、LEVSD有良好相关性（r分别为-0.670、0.654、0.709,P均＜0.01）;血浆BigET-1与NT-proBNP也密切相关（r＝0.752,P＜0.01）.结论 BigET-1和NT-proBNP可能参与了心功能损伤的病理生理过程.快速检测BigET-1和NT-proBNP对CHF的实验室诊断、心功能评估、疗效观察、预后判断均具有重要临床价值.     

厄贝沙坦氢氯噻嗪联合美托洛尔治疗老年重症心力衰竭的疗效研究

目的分析厄贝沙坦氢氯噻嗪联合美托洛尔治疗老年重症心力衰竭的疗效。方法选取2011年10月—2013年10月我科收治的老年重症心力衰竭患者86例,将其随机分为对照组和治疗组,各43例。对照组采用临床急诊内科常规强心、利尿剂,硝普钠静脉微量注射泵注射等治疗;治疗组在对照组治疗的基础上,采用厄贝沙坦氢氯噻嗪联合美托洛尔治疗。结果治疗组患者心脏功能复常时间、心电图表现复常时间及临床用药方案实施时间均短于对照组(P0.05);治疗后治疗组患者B型脑钠肽(BNP)低于对照组,左室射血分数(LVEF)高于对照组(P0.05);经治疗治疗组患者总有效率为90.7%(39/43),高于对照组的69.8%(30/43)(P0.05);治疗组患者不良反应发生率和心力衰竭复发率均低于对照组(P0.05)。结论厄贝沙坦氢氯噻嗪联合美托洛尔治疗老年重症心力衰竭效果显著,能改善患者心功能,药物不良反应少,病情复发率低,安全性高。     

Prognosis of congestive heart failure in patients with normal versus reduced ejection fractions: results from a cohort of 2,258 hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND: Patients with congestive heart failure have an annual mortality of 10% to 20% depending on disease severity. Though one third of these patients have normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), their natural history is poorly defined. Small population-based studies have suggested a more benign prognosis for patients with preserved LVEF. However, prognosis in hospitalized patients, who form a higher risk group, is not known. METHODS: We investigated the survival patterns of 2,258 patients with a primary hospital discharge diagnosis of congestive heart failure between 1990 and 1999. Survival was analyzed and patients with normal and reduced LVEF were compared. RESULTS: Their age was 71 +/- 11 years, and 97% were men. There were 1,535 deaths over a mean follow up of 786 days. Of these, 963 (43%) patients had a normal LVEF (>/=55%). Patients with normal LVEF were of the same age as those with reduced LVEF, but had a lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation (20 versus 26%, P =.03), left bundle branch block (2 versus 12%, P <.0001), significant mitral regurgitation (5 versus 31%, P <.0001) and electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial infarction (38 versus 60%, P <.0001). Despite lesser comorbidities, they had a higher mortality hazard, with a 5-year survival of 22% compared with 28% for those with systolic heart failure (P =.007). Proportional hazards model showed presence of normal EF as a categoric variable to be an independent predictor of mortality in those with heart failure after correcting for age and rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis of hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure and normal LVEF is worse than those with reduced EF despite lesser comorbidities. Studies addressing optimal management of these patients are warranted.     

Linkage between mechanical and electrical alternans in patients with chronic heart failure

INTRODUCTION: Progressive heart failure and ventricular fibrillation are major causes of death in patients with chronic heart failure. Mechanical alternans (pulsus alternans) has been observed in patients with severe congestive heart failure. Visible T wave alternans occasionally is a precursor of ventricular fibrillation. We investigated the occurrence of both cardiac alternans in 94 patients with chronic heart failure. Methods AND RESULTS: Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the study population was 35 +/- 10%. Mechanical alternans was detected in left ventricular pressure during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Only sustained mechanical alternans was included in the study. Visible T wave alternans, not microvolt alternans, was noted on standard surface ECG. Cardiac alternans was examined at rest, during physiologic tachycardia, and during stepwise dobutamine loading (2-4-8 microg/kg/min). Prevalences of mechanical and electrical alternans were 19.1% and 4.4% at rest, 45.5% and 8.0% during physiologic tachycardia, and 62.1% and 9.5% under dobutamine loading. Overall, 70 patients (74.5%) showed mechanical alternans and 10 patients (10.6%) showed T wave alternans. T wave alternans always appeared with large mechanical alternans. Among patients with mechanical alternans, cases with T wave alternans showed lower LVEF than those without (27.5 +/- 4.4 and 35.1 +/- 10.2, P < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Visible T wave alternans was detectable in patients with chronic heart failure, especially under tachycardia or catecholamine exposure. Investigating mechanical and mechanoelectrical alternans may bring new insights into the management of patients with chronic heart failure.     

Cardiovascular response to orthostatic tilt in patients with severe congestive heart failure

Baroreflex mediated haemodynamic responses and aortic pulsatile stretch were studied in patients with congestive heart failure due to ischaemia. Seven patients with severe congestive heart failure (baseline angiographic ejection fraction 21(3)% (mean(SEM); left ventricular end diastolic volume and pressure 351(43) ml and 22(3) mmHg respectively) were compared with seven control subjects whose angiographic ejection fraction was 74(3)%. Passive 45 degrees upright tilt was used to unload baroreceptors. Aortic pulsatile stretch (pulsatile distension as percentage of diastolic diameter) was calculated from echocardiographic measurements of aortic diameters. Upright tilt caused a significant decrease in cardiac filling pressures in patients with congestive heart failure, as in control subjects. During tilt control subjects had substantially increased systemic vascular resistance and heart rate and decreased stroke volume, but arterial pressure, cardiac index, and aortic pulsatile stretch were maintained constant. Patients with congestive heart failure developed peripheral vasodilatation, had no increase in heart rate, and failed to maintain arterial mean and systolic pressures in the tilted position. They had, however, maintained a constant pulse pressure and increased cardiac index, stroke volume, and aortic pulsatile stretch. The response to upright tilt in patients with congestive heart failure may be explained by faulty sympathetic reflexes, causing vasodilatation and hypotension rather than vasoconstriction, and a rise in stroke volume due to the decrease in afterload.     

替米沙坦治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床观察

目的 :观察替米沙坦治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭 （CHF）的临床疗效。方法 :经强心、利尿、扩血管等治疗 ,疗效不佳的 CHF患者 96例口服替米沙坦 4 0～ 80 mg,每天 1次 ,疗程 4周。观察治疗前后血压、心率、左室舒张末内径、左室射血分数以及心功能变化。结果 :4周治疗后血压、心率、左室舒张末内径均明显下降 （P<0 .0 5 ）。左室射血分数、心排出量、心脏排血指数等各项指标均明显增加 （P<0 .0 1） ,心功能改善 ,临床总有效率达 98% ,患者耐受性好。结论 ::替米沙坦治疗 CHF疗效好。     

不同病因慢性心力衰竭患者血浆apelin浓度比较

目的：检测不同基础心脏病所致慢性心力衰竭（CHF）患者的血浆apelin浓度。方法：按照纽约心脏病协会（NYHA）心功能分级标准和左室射血分数（LVEF〈50％）选择68例心功能不全患者为心衰组,选择心功能正常者21例做对照组·应用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测血浆apelin水平,比较不同病因如高血压病、冠心病、扩张性心肌病所致心衰的血浆apelin浓度区别。结果：CHF组血浆apelin水平高于对照组[（5．07±0．75）ng／ml：（3.73±0．3）ng／ml,P〈0．01];不同病因心衰血浆apelin含量无显著差别（P〉0．05）。结论：CHF患者血浆apelin浓度高于心功能正常者,可考虑将apelin浓度检测作为心力衰竭患者筛查诊断指标之一。     

老年慢性心力衰竭患者贫血与心功能关系的探讨

目的研究老年慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者中血红蛋白(Hb)水平变化与心功能的关系。方法对入选的286例年龄>60岁的CHF患者(CHF组)行临床、实验室和超声心动图检查,并进行心功能分级(NYHA);CHF组患者按Hb水平又分为贫血组(136例)和非贫血组(150例);根据NYHA分为轻、中度心力衰竭患者(203例),重度心力衰竭患者(83例);同时选择98例健康体检老年人为对照组,分别比较各组间不同性别血液学参数、血尿素、肌酐(Cr)、LVFF、左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、贫血发生率、病死率,并采用改良简化的MDRD方程计算肾小球滤过率(GFR)。结果与对照组比较,CHF组男、女性患者的Hb、红细胞比容、LVEF和GFR均明显降低(P<0.01),尿素、Cr和LVEDD均明显升高(P<0.05,P<0.01);与轻、中度心力衰竭患者比较,重度心力衰竭患者Hb、红细胞比容、LVEF和GFR均明显降低,Cr、LVEDD、贫血发生率、病死率逐步升高(P<0.05,P<0.01)。CHF患者的Hb、LVEF均与Cr呈负相关,而与GFR呈正相关(P<0.01),Hb与LVEF呈正相关(P<0.01)。结论老年CHF男、女性患者常伴有贫血和肾功能损害,贫血和肾功能损害的程度均与CHF的严重程度呈正相关,贫血、肾功能损害均使CHF患者死亡危险性增高。     

Cardiovascular effects of the somatostatin analog octreotide in acromegaly

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cardiovascular effects of the somatostatin analog octreotide in patients with acromegaly. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized study. SETTING: Referral-based endocrinology clinic. PATIENTS: Seven patients with active acromegaly, three of whom had refractory congestive heart failure. The other four patients were free of symptoms associated with heart failure. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were treated with octreotide, 100 to 500 micrograms subcutaneously three times daily. The three patients with heart failure continued to receive cardiovascular therapy (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, digitalis, diuretics). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During octreotide therapy, patients showed a rapid decrease in growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1): Mean levels (+/- SD) fell from 28.1 +/- 32.7 micrograms/L to 5.2 +/- 8.3 micrograms/L and 740 +/- 126 micrograms/L to 372 +/- 64 micrograms/L, respectively (P less than 0.025). Plasma volume returned to normal and heart rate decreased significantly. In the four patients without heart failure, right-heart catheterization done before and after 3 months of octreotide therapy showed an 18.3% +/- 11% reduction in stroke volume and a return to normal of the cardiac index. The three patients with congestive heart failure, evaluated before and after 40 days and up to 2 years of therapy, showed a dramatic clinical improvement that was associated with an increase in stroke volume (by 24% to 51%). In these patients, the cardiac index remained in the normal range, filling pressures were markedly decreased, and pulmonary wedge pressure returned to normal. This improvement was sustained for up to 3 years in the two patients with heart failure who were receiving long-term treatment. CONCLUSION: The rapid and sustained cardiac improvement seen in our patients shows that octreotide therapy for patients with acromegaly may be highly beneficial, even in those patients with advanced cardiac failure.     

老年充血性心力衰竭患者心功能与甲状腺激素的关系

目的 探讨血清N末端B型脑钠肽前体（NT-proBNP）和甲状腺激素的关系,以及在老年充血性心力衰竭患者治疗中的临床价值.方法 测定老年慢性充血性心力衰竭（CHF）患者不同心功能状态下血清NT-proBNP和甲状腺激素的水平.结果 CHF组与对照组比较三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）水平降低,差异有统计学意义,且随心功能不全程度加重,T3、F-T3、甲状腺素（T4）、游离甲状腺素（FT4）水平依次降低,NT-proBNP水平依次升高,LVEF水平依次下降,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.结论 监测血清甲状腺激素水平,对判断心衰程度、治疗及预后有一定临床价值.     

氯沙坦治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床疗效观察

目的观察氯沙坦治疗充血性心力衰竭(CHF)的临床疗效。方法 142例经常规洋地黄、利尿剂、血管扩张剂等治疗效果欠佳的CHF患者,给予口服氯沙坦(Losartan)50 mg～100 mg/ d,治疗8周。观察治疗前后心率、心胸比、血压、左室舒张末期内径、左室射血分数以及心功能的变化。结果治疗后心率、血压、心胸比以及左室舒张末期内径与治疗前比较均明显下降(P<0．05)。左室射血分数增加(P<0．01),心功能改善1—2级,药物副作用少,患者耐受性好。结论氯沙坦治疗CHF疗效好,副作用较少,是治疗慢性心率衰竭新的较好的治疗药物。     

倍他乐克治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭临床观察

目的 观察倍他乐克治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭的疗效与安全性。方法 入选71例心脏病伴轻、中度慢性充血性心力衰竭的患者，将其随机分为治疗组（n=36）和对照组（n=35）。对照组接受常规抗心力衰竭治疗；治疗组在常规治疗基础上加服倍他乐克，共治疗12周。治疗前后观察两组患者的心率、多普勒超声心动图检查左室射血分数（LVEF）、左室舒张末压内径（LVDd）及心功能情况。结果 治疗组显效28例，占77．8％；有效6例，占16．7％；无效2例，占6．5％；总有效率为94．4％。对照组显效16例，占45．7％；有效10例，占28．6％；无效9例，占25．7％；总有效率为74．3％。治疗后两组之间的总有效率、心率和心功能差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论 在接受心力衰竭常规治疗基础上加服倍他乐克对改善心力衰竭症状具有良好效果。     

Improvement of cardiac parameters in patients with acromegaly treated with medical therapies

In acromegaly, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) excess results in a specific cardiomyopathy characterized by concentric cardiac hypertrophy primarily associated with diastolic dysfunction that can lead to impaired systolic function and eventually heart failure. This review of the literature evaluates the effect of therapeutic intervention on cardiac parameters. Clinical studies investigating the impact of treatments for acromegaly on cardiac function published between January 1980 and January 2009 were identified through electronic searches of Medline. Suppression of GH and IGF-1 following surgery or medical treatment with somatostatin analogue therapy is effective in decreasing left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, with subsequent improvement in cardiac function. First-line treatment with somatostatin analogues resulted in improved cardiac outcome compared with first-line surgery, possibly due to somatostatin analogues acting directly through somatostatin receptors on cardiac cells. Additional cardiac improvement has been reported when somatostatin analogue treatment was combined with surgery. In patients where complete biochemical control was not achieved, an improved cardiac performance following treatment with somatostatin analogues has been reported. Treatment with pegvisomant has been demonstrated to reduce LV hypertrophy and improve diastolic and systolic performance. In contrast, reports have suggested that treatment with the dopamine agonist cabergoline increased the incidence of valvular heart disease. Although surgery and somatostatin analogues are effective in improving cardiomyopathy, a greater beneficial effect is observed with somatostatin analogue treatment. Selected patients with acromegaly should consider first-line therapy or pre-treatment with somatostatin analogues prior to surgery to achieve biochemical control and improve cardiac dysfunction.     

Left ventricular function at rest and during Raynaud's phenomenon in patients with scleroderma

We evaluated left ventricular function in 10 scleroderma patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of congestive heart failure. M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated normal to increased systolic function in all patients. The presence of pulmonary venous congestion on the chest radiograph was not useful in assessing left ventricular systolic function. Five of nine patients with normal to increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had increased cardiothoracic ratios and increased pulmonary vascular markings. Left ventricular hypertrophy was associated with a worse New York Heart Association functional class, more pulmonary vascular congestion, and greater left atrial size. In the presence of normal systolic function and ventricular hypertrophy, diminished left ventricular diastolic compliance may account for the cardiac dysfunction in these patients. Cold pressor testing induced peripheral Raynaud's phenomenon in nine of nine patients; however, no ST segment changes or chest pain was provoked. In seven of nine patients there was no abnormal fall in LVEF. The mechanism for the fall in ejection fraction seen in two patients may be related to an increase in afterload or myocardial ischemia secondary to coronary atherosclerosis. We found little to suggest that a myocardial Raynaud's phenomenon affects left ventricular perfusion or systolic function. Clinical signs and symptoms of congestive failure as well as chest radiographs are poor indicators of impaired systolic function in scleroderma patients. Based on these findings, it appears that evaluation of left ventricular systolic function should include echocardiographic or angiographic study before such patients are treated for heart failure with inotropic agents.