This report describes a patient with limited cutaneous scleroderma in whom calcific constrictive pericarditis developed. This complication of limited cutaneous scleroderma has not been reported previously.Pericarditis is a common feature of systemic sclerosis. Constrictive pericarditis is rare, however, and calcific constrictive pericarditis as a complication of CREST syndrome (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasias) (limited cutaneous scleroderma) has not been described. We report herein a case of limited cutaneous scleroderma with severe refractory heart failure secondary to calcific constrictive pericarditis.
CASE REPORTThe patient, a 70-year-old man, was admitted to the hospital with progressive shortness of breath, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and orthopnea of several days' duration. He had a history of congestive heart failure (CHF) and pacemaker insertion for bradycardia, but his condition had been stable prior to this episode.The patient had been diagnosed as having limited cutaneous scleroderma (CREST syndrome) in 1989, with Raynaud's phenomenon, sclerodactyly, telangiectasias on the face, lips, and hands, and extensive calcific deposits on the elbows and over the left knee, intermittently complicated by cellulitis. indwelling catheter for an atonic bladder, hypothyroidism, hepatomegaly , and history of cerebrovascular accident. His current medications included allopurinol, furosemide, KCl, levothyroxine, warfarin, and ranitidine.On examination he was found to be in moderate respiratory distress. His pulse rate was 66 beats/ minute, and the blood pressure was 160190 mm Hg without pulsus paradoxus. Neck veins were distended up to the angle of the jaw at 45". Auscultation of the heart revealed a II/IV systolic ejection murmur and an audible S3. Lung examination showed wet rales halfway up both lung fields. The liver was enlarged to 13 cm. Physical and radiologic examination revealed calcinosis of the knees, elbows, and fingers (Figure l). He had numerous telangiectasias. He had indurated, thickened skin over both shins with 1 + edema, but the remainder of the skin, including that on the hands, was normal.During this admission the patient was treated initially with high-dose furosemide (160 mg twice daily with repeated intravenous boluses). Later, bumetanide and metolazone were tried, with some success.Laboratory studies revealed a blood urea nitrogen level of 43 mg/dl, a creatinine level of 1.9 mgldl, a hemoglobin value of 10.0 gm%. He was hypoxic, with an arterial blood gas pH of 7.47 (Po2 64). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 15 mm/hour. Liver enzymes were mildly elevated. Protein electrophoresis results were within normal limits. Antinuclear antibody was positive at a titer of 1 : 1,280, with a centromere pattern. Purified protein derivative was negative. Chest radiography revealed an enlarged heart with left ventricular predominance, pulmonary vascular redistribution, periventricular infiltrates, and extensive pericardial calcification (Figures ...