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Transthoracic Echocardiographic Examination in the Rabbit Model
Published on: June 1, 2019
Double jeopardy in the echocardiography laboratory: coexistence of two distinct cardiomyopathies?
Timothy E Paterick1, Alix J Tercius, Anushree Agarwal
1Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Aurora Sinai, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Centers, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Insights
Six patients presented with co-occurring Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiac amyloidosis or left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). A common genetic cause remains elusive, requiring further investigation into complex genetic substrates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Rare Diseases
Background:
- A Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center identified six patients with apparent co-occurrence of two rare cardiac conditions.
- This observation prompted an investigation into a potential shared underlying cause or common derivative.
Observation:
- A retrospective review identified patients diagnosed with HCM, cardiac amyloidosis, and left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).
- Transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed six patients with apical hypertrabeculations and myocardium suggestive of LVNC.
Findings:
- Four of the six patients had co-existing HCM.
- Two of the six patients had co-existing cardiac amyloidosis.
Implications:
- The clinical significance of these concomitant cardiomyopathies is currently not well understood.
- No common genetic link was identified, suggesting a potentially complex or yet-to-be-discovered genetic basis.
Background:
In our Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center, we identified 6 patients each with what appeared to be the occurrence of 2 rare diseases that prompted investigation for a common derivative.
Methods:
We reviewed our database, searching for all patients with a diagnosis of HCM, amyloid heart disease and left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).
Results:
Using transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, we identified 6 patients with apical hypertrabeculations and myocardium suggestive of LVNC; 4 of the patients had HCM and 2 of the patients had cardiac amyloidosis.
Conclusions:
The significance of these possible concomitant cardiomyopathies is not presently well understood. We did not identify a common derivative when looking for a genetic link, but it is most likely hidden in the genetic substrate, yet to be identified.
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