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Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: September 24, 2021
Atrial fibrillation/flutter in myopathies
Josef Finsterer1, Claudia Stöllberger
1Neurological Department, Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Austria. fipaps@yahoo.de
International Journal of Cardiology
|March 18, 2008
Summary
Patients with myopathies are increasingly developing cardiac issues like atrial fibrillation/flutter. Early surveillance and consideration of oral anticoagulation are crucial for managing stroke risk in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cardiac involvement is common in primary and secondary myopathies, affecting the myocardium and conduction system.
- Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AFI/AFL) is an increasingly recognized arrhythmia in myopathy patients, posing a significant stroke risk.
- Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is indicated for stroke prevention in AFI/AFL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cardiac involvement, specifically AFI/AFL, in various myopathies.
- To highlight the implications of AFI/AFL in myopathy patients, including stroke risk and anticoagulation management.
- To emphasize the need for thorough surveillance and timely OAC consideration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of myopathies associated with AFI/AFL.
- Analysis of cardiac manifestations in primary and secondary myopathies.
- Discussion of current anticoagulation practices and recommendations.
Main Results:
- AFI/AFL is documented in numerous primary myopathies (e.g., myotonic dystrophy, dystrophinopathies) and secondary myopathies (e.g., polymyositis, colchicine-induced).
- Myotonic dystrophy and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy show the highest association with AFI/AFL.
- Stroke/embolism frequency data is limited, but OAC use in myopathy patients with AFI/AFL is currently low.
Conclusions:
- Myopathy patients require vigilant cardiac monitoring for arrhythmias like AFI/AFL.
- Proactive management, including considering OAC, is essential for mitigating stroke risk in myopathy patients with AFI/AFL.
- Further research is needed to clarify stroke risk and optimize anticoagulation strategies.
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