LMNA Mutations Associated With Mild and Late-Onset Phenotype: The Case of the Dutch Founder Mutation p.(Arg331Gln).

Abstract

Cardiolaminopathies are autosomal dominant genetic diseases caused by mutations in the LMNA gene which encodes the nucleus envelope protein Lamin AC.1 There are now 12 phenotypes associated with LMNA mutations, both autosomal dominant and recessive, the majority of which have cardiac involvement (http://omim.org/entry/150330). These include dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated with conduction disease, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and phenotypes mimicking arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.2 See Article by Hoorntje et al Cardiolaminopathies are characterized by high arrhythmogenic risk3 that may manifest in mildly dilated hearts and may be the first clinical presentation of the disease. Fatal arrhythmias may occur even when left ventricular dysfunction does not reach the cutoff value established by guidelines for implantable cardioverter–defibrillator implantation for the primary prevention of sudden death.4 Clinical cardiologists involved in programs dedicated to familial cardiomyopathies are well aware of the arrhythmogenic risk of cardiolaminopathies. The latest ESC Guidelines for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death recommend (Class IIa; Level of Evidence B) implantable cardioverter–defibrillator in patients with DCM, a confirmed disease-causing LMNA mutation, and the following clinical risk factors: nonsustained ventricular tachycardia during ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, left ventricular ejection fraction <45% on initial evaluation, male sex, and nonmissense mutations.5 The genetic diagnosis of laminopathy in DCM patients impacts therapeutic and prognostic strategies. For example, the percutaneous catheter ablation of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in LMNA cardiomyopathy could be an important consideration. Poor outcomes, including high rates of recurrence of arrhythmia, progression to end-stage heart failure, and high mortality, have been reported in patients with cardiolaminopathies, wherein 91% of patients experienced ≥1 ventricular tachycardia recurrence, 44% received or were awaiting mechanical circulatory support or transplant for end-stage heart failure, and 26% died during a median 7-month follow-up.6 Use of β-blockers in conduction disease should be postponed until after pacemaker …