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Meucci MC, Lillo R, Mango F, Marsilia M, Iannaccone G, Tusa F, Luigetti M, Biagini E, Massetti M, Lanza GA, Lombardo A, Graziani F. Left atrial structural and functional remodelling in Fabry disease and cardiac amyloidosis: A comparative analysis. Int J Cardiol 2024; 402:131891. [PMID: 38382852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.131891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fabry disease (FD) and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (TTR CA) are cardiomyopathies with hypertrophic phenotype that share several features, including left atrial (LA) enlargement and dysfunction, but direct comparative data are lacking. Aim of the present study was to perform a comparative analysis of LA remodelling between the two diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS In this prospective study, a total of 114 patients (31 FD and 83 TTR CA) were included; all of them had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined as left ventricular (LV) wall thickness ≥ 12 mm. Despite similar degree of LVH, patients with TTR CA showed worse LV systolic and diastolic function. LA maximal volume index was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.084), while patients with TTR CA showed larger LA minimal volume index (p = 0.001). Moreover, all phases of LA mechanics were more impaired in the TTR CA group vs FD (reservoir: 6.9[4.2-15.5] vs 19.0[15.5-29.5], p < 0.001). After excluding patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), these differences remained clearly significant. In multivariable regression analyses, LA reservoir strain showed an independent correlation with TTR CA, controlling for demographic characteristics, AF and LV systolic and diastolic performance (p ≤ 0.001), whereas LV global longitudinal strain did not. Finally, among echocardiographic parameters, LA function demonstrated the highest accuracy in discriminating the two diseases. CONCLUSIONS TTR CA is characterized by a more advanced LA structural and functional remodelling in comparison to patients with FD and similar degree of LVH. The association between TTR CA and LA dysfunction remains consistent after adjustment for potential confounders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Meucci
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Lillo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Mango
- Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Marsilia
- Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Iannaccone
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Tusa
- Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Rome, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Biagini
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Massetti
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaetano Antonio Lanza
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Lombardo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Graziani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Del Franco A, Iannaccone G, Meucci MC, Lillo R, Cappelli F, Zocchi C, Pieroni M, Graziani F, Olivotto I. Clinical staging of Anderson-Fabry cardiomyopathy: An operative proposal. Heart Fail Rev 2024; 29:431-444. [PMID: 38006470 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-023-10370-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
As a slowly progressive form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Anderson-Fabry disease (FD) resembles the phenotype of the most common sarcomeric forms, although significant differences in presentation and long-term progression may help determine the correct diagnosis. A variety of electrocardiographic and imaging features of FD cardiomyopathy have been described at different times in the course of the disease, and considerable discrepancies remain regarding the assessment of disease severity by individual physicians. Therefore, we here propose a practical staging of FD cardiomyopathy, in hopes it may represent the standard for cardiac evaluation and facilitate communication between specialized FD centres and primary care physicians. We identified 4 main stages of FD cardiomyopathy of increasing severity, based on available evidence from clinical and imaging studies: non-hypertrophic, hypertrophic - pre-fibrotic, hypertrophic - fibrotic, and overt dysfunction. Each stage is described and discussed in detail, following the principle that speaking a common language is critical when managing such complex patients in a multi-disciplinary and sometimes multi-centre setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Iannaccone
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Meucci
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Lillo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cappelli
- Cardiomyopathy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Zocchi
- Cardiovascular Department, San Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Graziani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Iacopo Olivotto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Cardiology Unit, Meyer University Hospital, Florence, Italy
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3
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Mattig I, Steudel T, Klingel K, Barzen G, Frumkin D, Spethmann S, Romero Dorta E, Stangl K, Heidecker B, Landmesser U, Knebel F, Canaan-Kühl S, Hahn K, Brand A. Right heart and left atrial strain to differentiate cardiac amyloidosis and Fabry disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2445. [PMID: 38291191 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52890-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Echocardiographic differentiation of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and Fabry disease (FD) is often challenging using standard echocardiographic parameters. We retrospectively analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of right heart and left atrial strain parameters to discriminate CA from FD using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses and logistic regression models. A total of 47 FD and 88 CA patients with left ventricular wall thickening were analyzed. The comparison of both cardiomyopathies revealed significantly reduced global and free wall longitudinal right ventricular strain (RVS; global RVS: CA - 13 ± 4%, n = 67, vs. FD - 18 ± 4%, n = 39, p < 0.001) as well as right atrial strain (RAS; reservoir RAS: CA 12 ± 8%, n = 70, vs. FD 26 ± 9%, n = 40, p < 0.001) and left atrial strain (LAS) in CA patients. Individually, global RVS as well as phasic LAS and RAS showed the highest diagnostic accuracy to distinguish CA and FD. The best diagnostic accuracy was achieved by combining the age, basal RV diameter, global RVS, and reservoir and conduit RAS (area under the curve 0.96 [95% CI 0.90-1.00]). Differential echocardiographic diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected CA or FD can be improved by integrating structural and functional parameters of the right heart and the left atrium.Trial registration: DRKS00027403.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Mattig
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tilman Steudel
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin Klingel
- Cardiopathology, Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Gina Barzen
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Frumkin
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Spethmann
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elena Romero Dorta
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karl Stangl
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Heidecker
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Landmesser
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Knebel
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, Berlin, Germany
- Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg, Innere Medizin II: Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sima Canaan-Kühl
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Medizinische Klinik Mit Schwerpunkt Nephrologie Und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Fabry Zentrum, Zentrum für Seltene Nierenerkrankungen (CeRKiD), Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Hahn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Klinik für Neurologie und Experimentelle Neurologie, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Brand
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Cardiopathology, Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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4
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Ajmone Marsan N, Graziani F, Meucci MC, Wu HW, Lillo R, Bax JJ, Burzotta F, Massetti M, Jukema JW, Crea F. Valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy: reappraisal of their interplay. Nat Rev Cardiol 2024; 21:37-50. [PMID: 37563454 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-023-00911-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies and valvular heart diseases are typically considered distinct diagnostic categories with dedicated guidelines for their management. However, the interplay between these conditions is increasingly being recognized and they frequently coexist, as in the paradigmatic examples of dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which are often complicated by the occurrence of mitral regurgitation. Moreover, cardiomyopathies and valvular heart diseases can have a shared aetiology because several genetic or acquired diseases can affect both the cardiac valves and the myocardium. In addition, the association between cardiomyopathies and valvular heart diseases has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. Therefore, a better understanding of their shared pathophysiological mechanisms, as well as of the prevalence and predisposing factors to their association, might lead to a different approach in the risk stratification and management of these diseases. In this Review, we discuss the different scenarios in which valvular heart diseases and cardiomyopathies coexist, highlighting the need for an improved classification and clustering of these diseases with potential repercussions in the clinical management and, particularly, personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Ajmone Marsan
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Francesca Graziani
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Meucci
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Hoi W Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rosa Lillo
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Jeroen J Bax
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Heart Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Francesco Burzotta
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Massetti
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - J Wouter Jukema
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Filippo Crea
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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5
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Meucci MC, Lillo R, Del Franco A, Monda E, Iannaccone G, Baldassarre R, Di Nicola F, Parisi V, Lombardo A, Spinelli L, Biagini E, Pieroni M, Pisani A, Crea F, Iaccarino G, Limongelli G, Olivotto I, Graziani F. Prognostic Implications of the Extent of Cardiac Damage in Patients With Fabry Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 2023; 82:1524-1534. [PMID: 37793750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited evidence on the risk stratification of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with Fabry disease (FD). OBJECTIVES This study sought to classify FD patients into disease stages, based on the extent of the cardiac damage evaluated by echocardiography, and to assess their prognostic impact in a multicenter cohort. METHODS Patients with FD from 5 Italian referral centers were categorized into 4 stages: stage 0, no cardiac involvement; stage 1, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LV maximal wall thickness >12 mm); stage 2, left atrium (LA) enlargement (LA volume index >34 mL/m2); stage 3, ventricular impairment (LV ejection fraction <50% or E/e' ≥15 or TAPSE <17 mm). The study endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, hospitalization for heart failure, new-onset atrial fibrillation, major bradyarrhythmias or tachyarrhythmias, and ischemic stroke. RESULTS A total of 314 patients were included. Among them, 174 (56%) were classified as stage 0, 41 (13%) as stage 1, 57 (18%) as stage 2 and 42 (13%) as stage 3. A progressive increase in the composite event rate at 8 years was observed with worsening stages of cardiac damage (log-rank P < 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, the staging was independently associated with the risk of cardiovascular events (HR: 2.086 per 1-stage increase; 95% CI: 1.487-2.927; P < 0.001). Notably, cardiac staging demonstrated a stronger and additive prognostic value, as compared with the degree of LV hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS In FD patients, a novel staging classification of cardiac damage, evaluated by echocardiography, is strongly associated with cardiovascular outcomes and may be helpful to refine risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Meucci
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Lillo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Del Franco
- Cardiomyopathy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Emanuele Monda
- Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Iannaccone
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Baldassarre
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Di Nicola
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vanda Parisi
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Lombardo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Spinelli
- Interdepartmental Center of Research on Hypertension and Related Conditions (CIRIAPA), Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Biagini
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Pisani
- Interdepartmental Center of Research on Hypertension and Related Conditions (CIRIAPA), Federico II University, Naples, Italy; Department of Public Health, Nephrology Unit, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Crea
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Iaccarino
- Interdepartmental Center of Research on Hypertension and Related Conditions (CIRIAPA), Federico II University, Naples, Italy; Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Limongelli
- Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Iacopo Olivotto
- Cardiomyopathy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Italy; Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Graziani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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6
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Faro DC, Losi V, Rodolico MS, Torrisi EM, Colomba P, Duro G, Monte IP. Sex Differences in Anderson-Fabry Cardiomyopathy: Clinical, Genetic, and Imaging Analysis in Women. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1804. [PMID: 37761944 PMCID: PMC10531426 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anderson-Fabry Disease (AFD) is a rare, systemic lysosomal storage disease triggered by mutations in the GLA gene, leading to α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) deficiency. The disease's X-linked inheritance leads to more severe, early-onset presentations in males, while females exhibit variable, often insidious, manifestations, notably impacting cardiac health. This study aims to examine gender-based AFD cardiac manifestations in correlation with the variant type: classical (CL), late-onset (LO), or variants of uncertain significance (VUS). We analyzed data from 72 AFD patients (53 females, 19 males) referred to the "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, employing enzyme activity measurements, genetic analysis, periodic lyso-Gb3 monitoring, comprehensive medical histories, and advanced cardiac imaging techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Our AFD cohort, with an average age of 45 ± 16.1 years, comprised 12 individuals with hypertrophy (AFD-LVH) and 60 without (AFD-N). Women, representing about 75% of the subjects, were generally older than men (47.2 ± 16.2 vs. 38.8 ± 14.6, p = 0.046). In the female group, 17% had CL variants, 43.3% LO, and 39.6% had VUS, compared to 21.1%, 36.8%, and 31.6% in the male group, respectively. Females exhibited significantly higher α-Gal A values (median 7.9 vs. 1.8 nmol/mL/h, p < 0.001) and lower lyso-Gb3 levels (1.5 [IQR 1.1-1.7] vs. 1.9 [1.5-17.3] nmol/L, p = 0.02). Regarding the NYHA class distribution, 70% of women were in class I and 28% in class II, compared to 84% and 16% of men, respectively. Among women, 7.5% exhibited ventricular arrhythmias (10.5% in men), and 9.4% had atrial fibrillation (10.5% in men). Cardiac MRIs revealed fibrosis in 57% of examined women, compared to 87% of men. Even among patients without LVH, significant differences persisted in α-Gal A and lyso-Gb3 levels (p = 0.003 and 0.04), as well as LVMi (61.5 vs. 77.5 g/sqm, p = 0.008) and GLS values (-20% vs. -17%, p = 0.01). The analysis underscored older age, decreased lyso-Gb3 deposition, reduced hypertrophy, and lesser GLS compromise in females, suggesting later disease onset. Severe cardiac patterns were associated with classic variants, while more nuanced manifestations were noted in those with VUS. Early GLS impairment in males, irrespective of hypertrophy, emphasized the role of subclinical damage in AFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Cristiana Faro
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Losi
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Stefania Rodolico
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Section of Catania, Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Elvira Mariateresa Torrisi
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Colomba
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Duro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Ines Paola Monte
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
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