Richard K Burt, Maria Carolina Oliveira, Sanjiv J Shah, Daniela A Moraes, Belinda Simoes, Mihai Gheorghiade, James Schroeder, Eric Ruderman, Dominique Farge, Z Jessie Chai, Zora Marjanovic, Sandeep Jain, Amy Morgan, Francesca Milanetti, Xiaoqiang Han, Borko Jovanovic, Irene B Helenowski, Julio Voltarelli
BACKGROUND: Autologous haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) benefits patients with systemic sclerosis but has been associated with significant treatment-related mortality and failure to improve diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO). We aimed to assess efficacy of HSCT and use of rigorous cardiac screening in this group. METHODS: We assessed patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis or limited systemic sclerosis and interstitial lung disease who were treated with HSCT as part of a study or on a compassionate basis at Northwestern University (Chicago, IL, USA) or the University of São Paulo (Ribeirão Preto, Brazil)...
March 30, 2013: Lancet