Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an acknowledged devastating complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc); difficult to manage with a poor prognosis.~Although the aetiology of SSc-PAH remains elusive, vascular dysfunction seems to be the initial event.~Statins, through their pleotropic effects might be of value in the treatment armamentarium of PAH related to SSc.~Objectives: The aim was to assess the efficacy of rosuvastatin in ameliorating vascular dysfunction and in the management of SSc-related PAH.~Methods: Forty SSc patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for the classification of SSc diagnosis and having PAH were recruited.~All SSc patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and the six minute walk test (SMWT).~Patients were randomized into 2 groups; the first group (n = 23) were assigned to receive 40mg of rosuvastatin and the second group (n = 23) received placebo for 6 months.~The levels of endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory markers were assayed at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. Outcome measures assessed included exercise capacity (SMWT), MPAP, WHO functional class change, tolerability and safety.
Although the aetiology of SSc-PAH remains elusive, vascular dysfunction seems to be the initial event and statins through their vasculoprotective effect might be of value in the treatment armamentarium of PAH related to SSc.~The aim was to assess the efficacy of rosuvastatin in ameliorating vascular dysfunction and in the management of SSc-related PAH.