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Published on: September 29, 2014
Cardiomyopathy of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
D A Mascarenhas1, D H Spodick, D A Chad
1Division of Cardiology, St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Massachusetts 01604.
Insights
This study suggests a link between limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy in affected sisters. Further research is needed to confirm this association and its genetic basis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Neuromuscular Disorders
Background:
- Cardiomyopathy is a known complication of various neuromuscular disorders.
- However, an association with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) has not been previously established.
Observation:
- Three sisters with documented LGMD presented with congestive heart failure by their third decade.
- All sisters exhibited echocardiographic evidence of dilated cardiomyopathy.
- One sister also showed left ventricular dysfunction via cardiac catheterization, with no signs of coronary artery disease.
Findings:
- DNA linkage analysis was performed using chromosome 13q microsatellite markers.
- Affected sisters shared paternal alleles but had different maternal alleles for LGMD markers.
- The small family size limited statistical confirmation of linkage.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a potential genetic link between LGMD and dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Anticipating cardiomyopathy in LGMD patients is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
- Continued investigation into the genetic underpinnings of this association is warranted.
Objectives:
This study sought to find an association between dilated cardiomyopathy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
Background:
Cardiomyopathy has been seen in various neuromuscular disorders, but it has not been recognized to be associated with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
Methods:
We investigated three sisters with well documented limb-girdle dystrophy and congestive heart failure by the 3rd decade of life. All underwent noninvasive evaluation of left ventricular systolic function by both echocardiography and radionuclide scanning, and one also had cardiac catheterization. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) linkage analysis was performed in these affected subjects and in the unaffected family members, and DNA was extracted from mononuclear cells with primer sequences for three chromosome 13q microsatellite markers.
Results:
The parents had no evidence of clinical disease, but all three sisters had echocardiographic evidence of dilated cardiomyopathy. The sister with additional evidence of left ventricular dysfunction of cardiac catheterization had no coronary artery disease. The affected subjects had the same paternal allele for three potential markers of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy but different maternal alleles. The very small family size did not permit statistical confirmation or refutation of linkage for chromosome 13q markers.
Conclusions:
Demonstrable cardiomyopathy accompanying limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and its probable genetic associations require continued investigation by anticipating the cardiomyopathy in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
Related Concept Videos
Satellite Stem Cells and Muscular Dystrophy
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

