Abstract
BackgroundMyotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality. Therefore, assessment of cardiac involvement and risk stratification for sudden cardiac death is crucial. Nevertheless, optimal screening-procedures are not clearly defined. ECG, echocardiography and Holter-monitoring are useful but insufficient. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can provide additional information of which myocardial fibrosis may be relevant.The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis in patients with DM1 assessed by CMR, and the association between myocardial fibrosis and abnormal findings on ECG, Holter-monitoring and echocardiography.MethodsWe selected 30 unrelated patients with DM1: 18 patients (10 men, mean age 51 years) with, and 12 patients (7 men, mean age 41 years) without abnormal findings on ECG and Holter-monitoring.Patients were evaluated with medical history, physical examination, ECG, Holter-monitoring, echocardiography and CMR.ResultsMyocardial fibrosis was found in 12/30 (40%, 9 men). The presence of myocardial fibrosis was associated with the following CMR-parameters: increased left ventricular mass (median (range) 55 g/m2 (43–83) vs. 46 g/m2 (36–64), p = 0.02), increased left atrial volume (median (range) 52 ml/m2 (36–87) vs. 46 ml/m2 (35–69), p = 0.04) and a trend toward lower LVEF (median (range) 63% (38–71) vs. 66% (60–80), p = 0.06). Overall, we found no association between the presence of myocardial fibrosis and abnormal findings on: ECG (p = 0.71), Holter-monitoring (p = 0.27) or echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction or global longitudinal strain (p = 0.18).ConclusionPatients with DM1 had a high prevalence of myocardial fibrosis which was not predicted by ECG, Holter-monitoring or echocardiography. CMR add additional information to current standard cardiac assessment and may prove to be a clinically valuable tool for risk stratification in DM1.
Highlights
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance Myocardial fibrosis of the left ventricle was found in 12/ 30 patients (40%, 9 men) with a median late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) quantity of 4 g (Figures 2 and 3)
This study demonstrates that adult patients with DM1 have a high prevalence of myocardial fibrosis (40%)
Summary
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis in patients with DM1 assessed by CMR, and the association between myocardial fibrosis and abnormal findings on ECG, Holter-monitoring and echocardiography. Myocardial fibrosis may explain the abnormalities in the cardiac conduction system and work as a substrate for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. It may have a central role in the development of the systolic dysfunction observed in patients with DM1 [2,7,9,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
