Mitochondrial electron transport chain deficiency, cardiomyopathy, and long-term cardiac transplant outcome

Alana S Golden1, Yuk M Law, Hillary Shurtleff

  • 1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.

Pediatric Transplantation
|January 18, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac transplantation is feasible for patients with mitochondrial cytopathies and dilated cardiomyopathy. Careful patient selection leads to excellent long-term outcomes, challenging previous concerns about complications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Transplantation Medicine

Background:

  • Multisystemic mitochondrial cytopathies often involve cardiac complications like dilated cardiomyopathy.
  • Organ transplantation is typically contraindicated in these patients due to presumed risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of cardiac transplantation in patients with mitochondrial cytopathies and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series of three patients with confirmed oxidative phosphorylation defects and dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent cardiac transplantation.
  • Monitoring of tolerance to immunosuppression and long-term follow-up.

Main Results:

  • All three patients successfully tolerated standard immunosuppression regimens.
  • Excellent long-term outcomes were observed in all transplanted patients.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac transplantation can be a viable option for carefully selected patients with multisystemic mitochondrial cytopathies and dilated cardiomyopathy.
  • This approach can lead to favorable long-term results, contrary to prior expectations.

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
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 I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
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...
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...
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...