Hettema ME et al. - Generalized premature atherosclerosis has not been detected in SSc. Therefore, further research is necessary to assess the prevalence of clinically manifest or subclinical early atherosclerosis in SSc. Methods
A review of the literature regarding coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease in SSc
Results
An increased prevalence of distal peripheral artery disease in the digits has been found
The prevalence of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease is not increased
Besides traditional risk factors, non-traditional risk factors like increased lipoprotein(a), oxidized LDL, inflammation, vasospasm and endothelial dysfunction are present as well
Markers of vascular damage in atherosclerosis, like Ab to oxidized LDL, and increased levels of soluble vascular adhesion molecules, have been described in association with vascular damage in SSc
