부산대학교 도서관

Scleroderma is a complex, autoimmune connective tissue disease that results in fibrosis and vasculopathy throughout the body. Advanced disease can manifest with significant musculoskeletal, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and renal abnormalities that can make anesthesia management very challenging. Scleroderma has a higher morbidity and mortality than any other rheumatic disease. The anesthesiologist should have a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease to mitigate potential complications, such as heart failure, prolonged ventilatory support, aspiration, vasospastic ischemia, and difficult airway management. Topics covered in this chapter include Raynaud’s phenomenon, vasculitis, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and microstomia, among other concepts related to scleroderma.