Reversible myocardial perfusion defects during cold challenge in scleroderma.

Myocardial perfusion was studied using 201thallium scintigraphy in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon undergoing cold challenge. Ten patients with systemic sclerosis and 10 with other systemic rheumatic diseases were selected. Patients with clinical features of cardiac disease were not included. Both groups of patients had similar cold-induced elevations of pulse rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Reversible perfusion abnormalities suggesting cold-induced ischaemia were seen in four of the ten patients with systemic sclerosis, but in none of the patients with other rheumatic diseases. This study supports the suggestion that the vascular disorder in scleroderma differs from that seen in other rheumatic diseases which are associated with Raynaud's phenomenon.