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Cardiac Structure and Function in Adults with Down Syndrome.

Fadi M Azar1, Victor D Y Beck2, Alice M Matthews2

  • 1Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|October 14, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Adults with Down syndrome (Ds) exhibit distinct cardiac structural and functional differences compared to their peers. Echocardiography revealed impaired diastolic function and increased left ventricular wall thickness in adults with Ds.

Keywords:
Down syndromecardiac functioncardiac structureechocardiography

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Down Syndrome Research

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease risk factors vary in adults with Down syndrome (Ds).
  • Previous studies on cardiac function in Ds populations used varied methods and focused on younger individuals, necessitating research in adults.
  • Understanding cardiac physiology differences is crucial for managing cardiovascular health in adults with Ds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare cardiac structure and function between adults with Down syndrome and age- and sex-matched controls.
  • To identify specific echocardiographic markers of cardiac differences in adults with Ds.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiography was employed to assess cardiac structure, systolic function, and diastolic function.
  • A cohort of 19 adults was studied, including 9 with Down syndrome and 10 without (controls).
  • Participants were matched for age and sex.

Main Results:

  • Adults with Down syndrome showed increased left ventricular posterior wall thickness (p = 0.007).
  • Significantly lower septal peak systolic annular velocity (S') (p = 0.026) and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E') in lateral and septal walls (p = 0.007, p = 0.025) were observed.
  • Higher lateral and septal mitral annular early systolic velocity to diastolic velocity ratios (E/e') (p = 0.001) indicated impaired diastolic function.

Conclusions:

  • Significant differences in cardiac structure and function exist between adults with Down syndrome and matched controls.
  • The findings suggest predominantly worse diastolic function in adults with Down syndrome.
  • These results highlight the need for targeted cardiovascular monitoring in this population.