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Published on: July 30, 2014
Prinzmetal angina in a child with actin gene ACTC1 mutation
Donald Mattia1, Chelsea Matney1, Steven Zangwill1
1Phoenix Children's Center for Heart Care, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Insights
Prinzmetal angina in children is rare. A 2-year-old experienced chest pain due to an ACTC1 gene mutation, leading to heart failure and transplant listing.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Genetics
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Prinzmetal angina is an uncommon cause of chest pain in children.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for improving outcomes.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old female presented with recurrent chest pain, malaise, diaphoresis, fatigue, and poor perfusion.
- Episodes correlated with low cardiac output, lactic acidosis, and low mixed venous oxygen saturations.
Findings:
- Genetic analysis revealed an ACTC1 gene mutation.
- The mutation was associated with left ventricular non-compaction and reduced systolic function.
- Nitroglycerin effectively resolved chest pain episodes.
Implications:
- This case highlights ACTC1 mutations as a cause of pediatric Prinzmetal angina and heart failure.
- Early identification and targeted therapy, like nitroglycerin, are vital.
- Cardiac transplant may be considered for severe cases with high sudden death risk.
Abstract:
Prinzmetal angina is a rare cause of intermittent chest pain in paediatrics. Here, we report the case of a 2-year-old female who presented with episodic chest pain, malaise, diaphoresis, fatigue, and poor perfusion on exam. During her hospitalisation, these episodes were associated with significant low cardiac output as evidenced by lactic acidosis and low mixed venous oxygen saturations. Her workup revealed an actin alpha cardiac muscle 1 (ACTC1) gene mutation and associated left ventricular non-compaction with decreased systolic function. She was started on oral heart failure medications as well as a calcium channel blocker but continued to have episodes which were found to promptly resolve with nitroglycerine. She was ultimately listed for cardiac transplant given her perceived risk of sudden death.
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