Functional potential of cardiovascular system in women with connective tissue dysplasia

Objective: the aim of the study was to assess the functional reserves of the cardiovascular system in women with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD).

Materials and methods. 97 female patients aged from 19 to 37 years (mean age was 25.0±6.5 years), mainly with visceral, skin, bone and joint manifestations of UCTD, were examined. The study of the functional reserves of the cardiovascular system was carried out according to the indicators of Holter ECG monitoring (HM ECG) and the results of the bicycle ergometry test.

Results. HM ECG in women with various numbers of phenotypic features of UCTD established the predominated prevalence of supraventricular rhythm disturbances over ventricular arrhythmia. A significantly higher number of supraventricular extrasystoles was found in women with more than 10 UCTD phenes. When conducting bicycle ergometry test, a low to moderate tolerance to physical exertion was registered in 90% female patients with UCTD. Thus, the positive correlation of supraventricular heart rhythm disorders with the number of predictors of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia registered in the study can be used not only as a marker of systemic pathology, but also be evaluated as an indicator of an unfavorable prognosis for any manifestations of CTD.

Conclusion. The results indicate the predominant supraventricular arrhythmias compared to ventricular type rhythm disturbances and also the low exercise tolerance in women with connective tissue dysplasia. Young women with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia should be recommended to have regular aerobic training (dosed walking, jogging, biking) to increase the adaptive capacity of the cardiovascular system.