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Desmin-related restrictive cardiomyopathy
Christiano Pereira Silva1, Fernando Bacal, Luiz Alberto Benvenuti
1Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. chrispsilva@cardiol.br
Insights
Restrictive cardiomyopathies can stem from desmin accumulation, a rare condition. This case highlights desmin storage disease presenting initially with heart block, progressing to muscle issues and heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Restrictive cardiomyopathies encompass various etiologies, including storage diseases.
- Desmin accumulation (desminopathies) is an uncommon cause of cardiac and muscle dysfunction.
Observation:
- This report details a patient whose initial symptom was complete atrioventricular block.
- The patient later exhibited skeletal muscle alterations and developed heart failure.
Findings:
- Diagnostic investigation confirmed restrictive cardiomyopathy.
- The underlying cause was identified as desmin accumulation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering desmin storage disease in patients with unexplained restrictive cardiomyopathy and conduction abnormalities.
- Early diagnosis of desminopathies is crucial for managing cardiac and peripheral myopathies.
Abstract:
Restrictive cardiomyopathies may have different etiologies, among which we can point out storage diseases by accumulation of different materials such as desmin. Desminopathies are uncommon diseases that progress with conduction abnormalities, peripheral myopathies, and ventricular dysfunction. The present report describes a patient with complete atrioventricular block as the initial event; he later developed skeletal muscle alterations and heart failure. The investigation led to the diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy due to desmin accumulation.
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