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Genotype-phenotype Correlates in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathies
Brittney Murray1, Cynthia A James2
1School of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe St. Blalock 545, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. Bmurray@jhmi.edu.
Insights
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) now includes various genetic heart conditions. Genetic testing is crucial for diagnosing and managing ACM, guiding genotype-specific treatments for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) definition has evolved beyond arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
- Genetic testing is increasingly vital for ACM diagnosis and management.
- Genotype-phenotype correlations are key to understanding ACM heterogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the expanded definition of ACM and its genetic basis.
- To highlight the importance of genetic testing in ACM diagnosis and management.
- To discuss genotype-specific management strategies for ACM.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature and consensus guidelines on ACM.
- Analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations in various ACM subtypes.
- Discussion of diagnostic criteria and clinical implications.
Main Results:
- Plakophilin-2 (PKP2) ACM often presents with right ventricular involvement and arrhythmias.
- Desmoplakin (DSP) ACM may show normal ECGs and left ventricular subepicardial scarring.
- Other genetic variants (e.g., FLNC, DSP, PKP2) present distinct ECG patterns, imaging findings, and arrhythmia risks.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing genetic differences in ACM is crucial for tailored clinical management.
- Genetic testing provides essential diagnostic and prognostic information for ACM patients.
- Emerging genotype-specific therapies offer new avenues for ACM treatment.
Purpose Of The Review:
The definition of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) has expanded beyond desmosomal arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) to include other genetic cardiomyopathies with a significant arrhythmia burden. Emerging data on genotype-phenotype correlations has led recent consensus guidelines to urge genetic testing as a critical component of not only diagnosis but also management of ACM.
Recent Findings:
Plakophilin-2 (PKP2) ARVC/ACM is most likely to meet ARVC Task Force Criteria with right sided involvement and ventricular arrhythmias, while desmoplakin (DSP) ACM may have a normal electrocardiogram (ECG) and has a subepicardial LV scar pattern. Extra-desmosomal ACM including ACM associated with transmembrane protein 43 and phospholamban variants may have characteristic ECG patterns and biventricular cardiomyopathy. Lamin A/C and SCN5A cardiomyopathy often have heart block on ECG with DCM, but are distinct from DCM in that they have significantly elevated arrhythmic risk. Newer genes, especially filamin-C (FLNC) also may have distinct imaging scar patterns, arrhythmia risk, and risk predictors. Recognition of these key differences have implications for clinical management and reinforce the importance of genetic testing in the diagnosis and the emerging opportunities for genotype-specific management of ACM patients.
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