Impairment of Left Atrial Mechanics Is an Early Sign of Myocardial Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis

LA mechanics strongly reflects the changes in LV diastolic function in SSc. On the other hand, strain parameters of the LA reservoir and contractile function already show significant worsening in SSc patients with preserved LV diastolic function, suggesting that impairment of the LA mechanics is an early sign of myocardial involvement in SSc.