Systemic Sclerosis-Specific Determinants of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events: Development of an Exploratory Cardiovascular Risk Model Beyond Traditional Risk Factors

Background

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have an increased burden of cardiovascular disease, resulting from the combined effects of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and disease-specific vascular involvement. Current cardiovascular risk prediction tools may not adequately capture the complex pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular complications in SSc.