Myocardiopathy in Duchenne progressive muscular dystrophy

In a retrospective study of hospital and autopsy records of 19 male subjects with the Duchenne type of progressive muscular dystrophy the incidence of cardiac involvement of the heart almost invariably develop heart failure; an early sign may be persistent tachycardia and, possibly, electrocardiographic changes, in case of which institution of digitalis treatment should be considered. Cardiac and pulmonary complications were equally frequent causes of death (42%) but, death from cardiac complication occurred only patients with Duchenne progressive muscular dystrophy very often develop cardiac complications, and when relating the available information on treatment to the autopsy findings it should be stressed that early and intensive therapy of the cardiac symptoms is of the greatest importance to the patient.