# Systemic Sclerosis With Cardiac Manifestations: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A case report describes a patient with newly diagnosed scleroderma presenting with heart-related symptoms and conduction abnormalities.

## Contribution

Highlights a rare cardiac presentation of systemic sclerosis requiring multidisciplinary care.

## Key findings

- Patient presented with dyspnea and conduction delays, leading to diagnosis of scleroderma.
- Fibrotic changes in myocardial conduction system can cause chronic heart failure and conduction blocks.
- Multidisciplinary treatment was necessary for managing the patient's condition.

## Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a multisystem disease process that can result in significant end-organ damage if left undiagnosed or untreated. While some manifestations are well-known and widely researched, other presentations of SSc, including the presentation of our patient, require further investigation. Though many non-pulmonary and non-dermatologic manifestations lack widespread recognition, such presentations are important to recognize clinically in order to adequately investigate and appropriately treat. Fibrotic changes affect not only the skin but also the myocardial conduction system which can result in chronic systolic heart failure and significant conduction delays. This report is a case of newly diagnosed scleroderma that presented with worsening dyspnea and activity intolerance who was discovered to have new onset prolonged PR interval, right bundle branch block, and left anterior fascicular block. After a comprehensive workup, the patient was diagnosed with scleroderma and underwent treatment by a multidisciplinary team.