MYH7 variants cause complex congenital heart disease

Alyssa Ritter1,2, Jacqueline Leonard1, Christopher Gray1

  • 1Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Insights

Genetic variants in the MYH7 gene are linked to a broader range of congenital heart disease (CHD) than previously known. This gene should be considered in families with complex CHD, especially with a history of left ventricular noncompaction or arrhythmias.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Genetics
  • Molecular Cardiology

Background:

  • The MYH7 gene encodes sarcomeric beta-myosin heavy chain, a known cause of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies.
  • Heterozygous pathogenic variants in MYH7 have been associated with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) and congenital heart disease (CHD), including septal defects and Ebstein anomaly.

Observation:

  • This study reports on three probands with complex CHD, LVNC, and/or arrhythmias, all found to have MYH7 variants.
  • These probands represented 12 affected family members, with documented histories of Ebstein anomaly (4) and LVNC (7).

Findings:

  • The findings indicate a wider phenotypic spectrum of MYH7-related CHD than previously recognized.
  • MYH7 variants are associated with complex CHD, LVNC, and arrhythmias, extending beyond previously described cardiomyopathies.

Implications:

  • MYH7 should be considered in the genetic evaluation of families with multiple affected individuals and complex CHD, particularly when LVNC or arrhythmias are present.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the role of MYH7 in CHD pathogenesis and its complete phenotypic spectrum.

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