Exploring the acceptability of implantable defibrillators in patients with cardiac dystrophinopathy and carers

Cardiac care of children with dystrophinopathy and females carrying DMD-gene variations

OBJECTIVE

We provide succinct, evidence-based and/or consensus-based best practice guidance for the cardiac care of children living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) as well as recommendations for screening and management of female carriers of mutations in the DMD-gene.

METHODS

Initiated by an expert working group of UK-based cardiologists, neuromuscular clinicians and DMD-patient representatives, draft guidelines were created based on published evidence, current practice and expert opinion. After wider consultation with UK-cardiologists, consensus was reached on these best-practice recommendations for cardiac care in DMD.

RESULTS

The resulting recommendations are presented in the form of a succinct care pathway flow chart with brief justification. The guidance signposts evidence on which they are based and acknowledges where there have been differences in opinion. Guidelines for cardiac care of patients with more advanced cardiac dystrophinopathy at any age have also been considered, based on the previous published work of Quinlivan et al and are presented here in a similar format. The recommendations have been endorsed by the British Cardiovascular Society.

CONCLUSION

These guidelines provide succinct, reasoned recommendations for all those managing paediatric patients with early or advanced stages of cardiomyopathy as well as females with cardiac dystrophinopathy. The hope is that this will result in more uniform delivery of high standards of care for children with cardiac dystrophinopathy, so improving heart health into adulthood through timely earlier interventions across the UK.

Management of rhythm disorders in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Is sudden death a cardiac or pulmonary problem?

Dystrophin deficiency results in the cardiomyopathy of variable onset and deficiency. Myocardial scarring commonly results in cardiac dysfunction, with both atrial and ventricular dysrhythmias. Heart failure, rather than arrhythmia burden, remains the strongest cardiac predictor of mortality in this patient population. Current data suggest the overall rate of sudden cardiac death in pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy is significantly lower than in adults. Specifically, in the Duchenne cardiomyopathy population, sudden death from an arrhythmic cause appears to be rare, even in patients with previously diagnosed arrhythmias. Despite this, recommendations for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement in patients with Duchenne cardiomyopathy has traditionally been extrapolated from adult heart failure recommendations based on decreased left ventricular ejection fraction <35%. Early involvement of the cardiologist in the care for patients with dystrophin-deficient cardiomyopathy is recommended for this reason. The indications for ICD placement to prevent sudden death in patients with Duchenne cardiomyopathy are not well defined. There is little evidence to suggest that placement meaningfully prolongs life in this population, and should be carefully considered in accordance with the care goals of the patient and his family.

Adult North Star Network (ANSN): Consensus Guideline For The Standard Of Care Of Adults With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

There are growing numbers of adults with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy living well into their fourth decade. These patients have complex medical needs that to date have not been addressed in the International standards of care. We sought to create a consensus based standard of care through a series of multi-disciplinary workshops with specialists from a wide range of clinical areas: Neurology, Cardiology, Respiratory Medicine, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Palliative Care Medicine, Rehabilitation, Renal, Anaesthetics and Clinical Psychology. Detailed reports of evidence reviewed and the consensus building process were produced following each workshop and condensed into this final document which was approved by all members of the Adult North Star Network including service users. The aim of this document is to provide a framework to improve clinical services and multi-disciplinary care for adults living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.