[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Freidreich ataxia: about two cases]

Sondos Kraiem1, Chedli Abbassi, Sofiane Kammoun

  • 1Service Cardiologie Hôpital Habib Thameur, Tunis.

La Tunisie Medicale
|July 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Friedreich ataxia, an early-onset autosomal recessive disease, frequently causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This article details cardiac findings in two Friedreich ataxia patients, highlighting the disease's cardiovascular impact.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Friedreich ataxia is the most common early-onset autosomal recessive ataxia.
  • Cardiomyopathy, specifically hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, affects a significant percentage (34-77%) of Friedreich ataxia patients.

Observation:

  • This article presents two case reports detailing the cardiac manifestations in patients with Friedreich ataxia.
  • The first case involves a 34-year-old male with muscular hypotonia and areflexia, exhibiting cardiac abnormalities.

Findings:

  • Radiographic and electrocardiographic findings revealed a distorted cardiac silhouette due to scoliokyphosis and auricular extrasystoles.
  • Cardiac ultrasound demonstrated concentric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with both systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

Implications:

  • These findings underscore the critical need for cardiac monitoring in Friedreich ataxia patients.
  • Understanding cardiac involvement is crucial for comprehensive patient management and prognosis.

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Huntington Disease l: Introduction01:21

Huntington Disease l: Introduction

Huntington disease or HD is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.PathophysiologyIt is caused by expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat in the HTT gene on chromosome 4 (4p16.3), producing an abnormal huntingtin protein with an expanded polyglutamine tract. This misfolded protein disrupts cellular function, leading to neuronal death. Normal alleles have ≤26 repeats, 27–35 are intermediate (risk of expansion), 36–39 show reduced penetrance,...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...