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Brundage J, Barrios JP, Tison GH, Pirruccello JP. Genetics of Cardiac Aging Implicate Organ-Specific Variation. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.08.02.24310874. [PMID: 39148824 PMCID: PMC11326326 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.02.24310874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Heart structure and function change with age, and the notion that the heart may age faster for some individuals than for others has driven interest in estimating cardiac age acceleration. However, current approaches have limited feature richness (heart measurements; radiomics) or capture extraneous data and therefore lack cardiac specificity (deep learning [DL] on unmasked chest MRI). These technical limitations have been a barrier to efforts to understand genetic contributions to age acceleration. We hypothesized that a video-based DL model provided with heart-masked MRI data would capture a rich yet cardiac-specific representation of cardiac aging. In 61,691 UK Biobank participants, we excluded noncardiac pixels from cardiac MRI and trained a video-based DL model to predict age from one cardiac cycle in the 4-chamber view. We then computed cardiac age acceleration as the bias-corrected prediction of heart age minus the calendar age. Predicted heart age explained 71.1% of variance in calendar age, with a mean absolute error of 3.3 years. Cardiac age acceleration was linked to unfavorable cardiac geometry and systolic and diastolic dysfunction. We also observed links between cardiac age acceleration and diet, decreased physical activity, increased alcohol and tobacco use, and altered levels of 239 serum proteins, as well as adverse brain MRI characteristics. We found cardiac age acceleration to be heritable (h2g 26.6%); a genome-wide association study identified 8 loci related to linked to cardiomyopathy (near TTN, TNS1, LSM3, PALLD, DSP, PLEC, ANKRD1 and MYO18B) and an additional 16 loci (near MECOM, NPR3, KLHL3, HDGFL1, CDKN1A, ELN, SLC25A37, PI15, AP3M1, HMGA2, ADPRHL1, PGAP3, WNT9B, UHRF1 and DOK5). Of the discovered loci, 21 were not previously associated with cardiac age acceleration. Mendelian randomization revealed that lower genetically mediated levels of 6 circulating proteins (MSRA most strongly), as well as greater levels of 5 proteins (LXN most strongly) were associated with cardiac age acceleration, as were greater blood pressure and Lp(a). A polygenic score for cardiac age acceleration predicted earlier onset of arrhythmia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and mortality. These findings provide a thematic understanding of cardiac age acceleration and suggest that heart- and vascular-specific factors are key to cardiac age acceleration, predominating over a more global aging program.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Brundage
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joshua P. Barrios
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Geoffrey H. Tison
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Biosignal Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - James P. Pirruccello
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Biosignal Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Selgrade DF, Fullenkamp DE, Chychula IA, Li B, Dellefave-Castillo L, Dubash AD, Ohiri J, Monroe TO, Blancard M, Tomar G, Holgren C, Burridge PW, George AL, Demonbreun AR, Puckelwartz MJ, George SA, Efimov IR, Green KJ, McNally EM. Susceptibility to innate immune activation in genetically mediated myocarditis. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e180254. [PMID: 38768074 PMCID: PMC11213508 DOI: 10.1172/jci180254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocarditis is clinically characterized by chest pain, arrhythmias, and heart failure, and treatment is often supportive. Mutations in DSP, a gene encoding the desmosomal protein desmoplakin, have been increasingly implicated in myocarditis. To model DSP-associated myocarditis and assess the role of innate immunity, we generated engineered heart tissues (EHTs) using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) from patients with heterozygous DSP truncating variants (DSPtvs) and a gene-edited homozygous deletion cell line (DSP-/-). At baseline, DSP-/- EHTs displayed a transcriptomic signature of innate immune activation, which was mirrored by cytokine release. Importantly, DSP-/- EHTs were hypersensitive to Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation, demonstrating more contractile dysfunction compared with isogenic controls. Relative to DSP-/- EHTs, heterozygous DSPtv EHTs had less functional impairment. DSPtv EHTs displayed heightened sensitivity to TLR stimulation, and when subjected to strain, DSPtv EHTs developed functional deficits, indicating reduced contractile reserve compared with healthy controls. Colchicine or NF-κB inhibitors improved strain-induced force deficits in DSPtv EHTs. Genomic correction of DSP p.R1951X using adenine base editing reduced inflammatory biomarker release from EHTs. Thus, EHTs replicate electrical and contractile phenotypes seen in human myocarditis, implicating cytokine release as a key part of the myogenic susceptibility to inflammation. The heightened innate immune activation and sensitivity are targets for clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominic E. Fullenkamp
- Center for Genetic Medicine and
- Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Binjie Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lisa Dellefave-Castillo
- Center for Genetic Medicine and
- Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Adi D. Dubash
- Department of Biology, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sharon A. George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Igor R. Efimov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kathleen J. Green
- Department of Pathology
- Department of Dermatology, and
- R.H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine and
- Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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McColl H, Cordina R, Lal S, Parker M, Hunyor I, Medi C, Gray B. Recurrent immunosuppressive-responsive myocarditis in a patient with desmoplakin cardiomyopathy: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep 2024; 8:ytae129. [PMID: 38638283 PMCID: PMC11024808 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytae129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Background Desmoplakin (DSP) cardiomyopathy is a rare genetic condition characterized by repeated inflammatory myocardial injury and is associated with ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Diagnosis is challenging and requires a combination of genetic testing and advanced imaging techniques. Case summary We present the case of a 38-year-old woman with recurrent episodes of subclinical myocarditis. Investigation using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) and genetic testing revealed a diagnosis of DSP cardiomyopathy. Her disease was initially responsive to corticosteroid therapy but quickly relapsed when treatment was tapered. Management of her condition required significant immunosuppression and the subsequent insertion of an implantable cardiac defibrillator due to her risk of sudden cardiac death. Discussion Cardiac MRI and genetic testing are key diagnostic techniques in the assessment of patients with recurrent myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. The management of cardiomyopathies with an inflammatory component is not completely understood; however, there is likely a key role for immune suppression therapies. Furthermore, there are several cardiomyopathy genetic variants including DSP which require careful risk stratification due to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden McColl
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Science Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Rachael Cordina
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Science Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Sean Lal
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Science Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Matthew Parker
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Science Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Imre Hunyor
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Science Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Caroline Medi
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Science Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Belinda Gray
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Science Road, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
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Javed W, Malhotra A, Swoboda P. Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of athletic myocardial fibrosis; Benign bystander or malignant marker? Int J Cardiol 2024; 394:131382. [PMID: 37741350 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131382] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
The benefits of exercise are irrefutable with a well-established dose-dependent relationship between exercise intensity and reduction in cardiovascular disease. Differentiating the physiological adaptation to exercise, termed the "athlete's heart" from cardiomyopathies, has been advanced by the advent of more sophisticated imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Myocardial fibrosis on CMR is a mutual finding amongst seemingly healthy endurance athletes and individuals with cardiomyopathy. As a substrate for arrhythmias, fibrosis is traditionally associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In this article, we discuss the aetiologies, distribution and potential implications of myocardial fibrosis in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Javed
- Department of Biomedical Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Aneil Malhotra
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter Swoboda
- Department of Biomedical Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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Azimi A, Pourirahim M, Houshmand G, Adimi S, Maleki M, Kalayinia S. Arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy caused by a novel likely pathogenic DSP mutation, p.K1165Rfs*8, in a family with sudden cardiac death. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:266. [PMID: 37885024 PMCID: PMC10601356 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We conducted an investigation into the clinical and molecular characteristics of Arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy (ALVC) caused by a novel likely pathogenic mutation in an Iranian pedigree with sudden cardiac death (SCD). BACKGROUND ALVC is a genetically inherited myocardial disease characterized by the substitution of fibro-fatty tissue in the left ventricular myocardium, predominantly inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern and is commonly associated with genes involved in encoding desmosomal proteins, specifically Desmoplakin (DSP). METHODS The patient and available family members underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment, including Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, along with Whole-exome sequencing (WES). The identified variant was confirmed and segregated by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing in the family members. RESULTS A novel likely pathogenic heterozygous variant, DSP (NM_004415.4), c.3492_3498del, p.K1165Rfs*8 was discovered in the proband. This variant is likely to be the primary reason for ALVC in this specific family. This variant was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and segregated in other affected members of the family. CONCLUSION We identified a novel likely pathogenic variant in the DSP gene, which has been identified as the cause of ALVC in an Iranian family. Our investigation underscores the importance of genetic testing, specifically WES, for individuals suspected of ALVC and have a family history of SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Azimi
- Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Pourirahim
- Cardiogenetic Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Golnaz Houshmand
- Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Adimi
- Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Maleki
- Cardiogenetic Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Kalayinia
- Cardiogenetic Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Cabral M, Fernandes S, Ruivo C, Martins H, Morais J. Recognizing a "Hot Phase" of An Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report. J Saudi Heart Assoc 2023; 35:232-234. [PMID: 37881594 PMCID: PMC10597597 DOI: 10.37616/2212-5043.1348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A 35-year-old male, with a medical history of acute myocarditis, presented with palpitations. Further investigation revealed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and a slightly reduced left ventricular systolic function. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed extended late gadolinium enhancement of the left ventricle and fat infiltration. Genetic testing was positive for a pathogenic desmoplakin mutation, fulfilling the criteria of arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, the authors described a case of a mimicked acute myocarditis at a young age in a patient with an arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy. Therefore, the genetic study is essential for both diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Fernandes
- Cardiology Department, Santo Antonio University Hospital Center, Porto,
Portugal
| | - Catarina Ruivo
- Cardiology Department, Leiria Hospital Centre, Leiria,
Portugal
| | - Hélia Martins
- Cardiology Department, Leiria Hospital Centre, Leiria,
Portugal
| | - João Morais
- Cardiology Department, Leiria Hospital Centre, Leiria,
Portugal
- CiTechCare (Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology), Leiria,
Portugal
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7
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Brandão M, Bariani R, Rigato I, Bauce B. Desmoplakin Cardiomyopathy: Comprehensive Review of an Increasingly Recognized Entity. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12072660. [PMID: 37048743 PMCID: PMC10095332 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12072660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmoplakin (DSP) is a desmosomal protein that plays an essential role for cell-to-cell adhesion within the cardiomyocytes. The first association between DSP genetic variants and the presence of a myocardial disease referred to patients with Carvajal syndrome. Since then, several reports have linked the DSP gene to familial forms of arrhythmogenic (ACM) and dilated cardiomyopathies. Left-dominant ACM is the most common phenotype in individuals carrying DSP variants. More recently, a new entity—“Desmoplakin cardiomyopathy”—was described as a distinct form of cardiomyopathy characterized by frequent left ventricular involvement with extensive fibrosis, high arrhythmic risk, and episodes of acute myocardial injury. The purpose of this review was to summarize the available evidence on DSP cardiomyopathy and to identify existing gaps in knowledge that need clarification from upcoming research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Brandão
- Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, 4430-000 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Riccardo Bariani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Rigato
- Azienda Ospedaliera/Universita’ di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2-Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Barbara Bauce
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
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Hirono K. Cardiomyopathy: A New Perspective from Diagnostic Strategy. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062360. [PMID: 36983361 PMCID: PMC10053908 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathy entails a broad group of diseases, acquired or genetic, which result in a similar phenotype [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Hirono
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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9
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DSP-Related Cardiomyopathy as a Distinct Clinical Entity? Emerging Evidence from an Italian Cohort. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032490. [PMID: 36768812 PMCID: PMC9916412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants in desmoplakin gene (DSP MIM *125647) have been usually associated with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM), or Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. A cohort of 18 probands, characterized as heterozygotes for DSP variants by a target Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) cardiomyopathy panel, was analyzed. Cardiological, genetic data, and imaging features were retrospectively collected. A total of 16 DSP heterozygous pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified, 75% (n = 12) truncating variants, n = 2 missense variants, n = 1 splicing variant, and n = 1 duplication variant. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.61 years (IQR 31-47.25), 61% of patients being asymptomatic (n = 11, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I) and 39% mildly symptomatic (n = 7, NYHA class II). Notably, 39% of patients (n = 7) presented with a clinical history of presumed myocarditis episodes, characterized by chest pain, myocardial enzyme release, 12-lead electrocardiogram abnormalities with normal coronary arteries, which were recurrent in 57% of cases (n = 4). About half of the patients (55%, n = 10) presented with a varied degree of left ventricular enlargement (LVE), four showing biventricular involvement. Eleven patients (61%) underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation, with a mean age of 46.81 years (IQR 36.00-64.00). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) identified in all 18 patients a delayed enhancement (DE) area consistent with left ventricular (LV) myocardial fibrosis, with a larger localization and extent in patients presenting with recurrent episodes of myocardial injury. These clinical and genetic data confirm that DSP-related cardiomyopathy may represent a distinct clinical entity characterized by a high arrhythmic burden, variable degrees of LVE, Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) with subepicardial distribution and episodes of myocarditis-like picture.
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Bariani R, Bueno Marinas M, Rigato I, Veronese P, Celeghin R, Cipriani A, Cason M, Pergola V, Mattesi G, Deola P, Zorzi A, Limongelli G, Iliceto S, Corrado D, Basso C, Pilichou K, Bauce B. Pregnancy in Women with Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11226735. [PMID: 36431211 PMCID: PMC9698035 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11226735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last few years, a phenotypic variant of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) labeled arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy (ALVC) has been defined and researched. This type of cardiomyopathy is characterized by a predominant left ventricular (LV) involvement with no or minor right ventricular (RV) abnormalities. Data on the specific risk and management of pregnancy in women affected by ALVC are, thus far, not available. We have sought to characterize pregnancy course and outcomes in women affected by ALVC through the evaluation of a series of childbearing patients. METHODS A series of consecutive female ALVC patients were analyzed in a cross-sectional, retrospective study. Study protocol included 12-lead ECG assessments, 24-h Holter ECG evaluations, 2D-echocardiogram tests, cardiac magnetic resonance assessments, and genetic analysis. Furthermore, the long-term disease course of childbearing patients was compared with a group of nulliparous ALVC women. RESULTS A total of 35 patients (mean age 45 ± 9 years, 51% probands) were analyzed. Sixteen women (46%) reported a pregnancy, for a total of 27 singleton viable pregnancies (mean age at first childbirth 30 ± 9 years). Before pregnancy, all patients were in the NYHA class I and none of the patients reported a previous heart failure (HF) episode. No significant differences were found between childbearing and nulliparous women regarding ECG features, LV dimensions, function, and extent of late enhancement. Overall, 7 patients (20%, 4 belonging to the childbearing group) experienced a sustained ventricular tachycardia and 2 (6%)-one for each group-showed heart failure (HF) episodes. The analysis of arrhythmia-free survival patients did not show significant differences between childbearing and nulliparous women. CONCLUSIONS In a cohort of ALVC patients without previous episodes of HF, pregnancy was well tolerated, with no significant influence on disease progression and degree of electrical instability. Further studies on a larger cohort of women with different degrees of disease extent and genetic background are needed in order to achieve a more comprehensive knowledge regarding the outcome of pregnancy in ALVC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Bariani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Bueno Marinas
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Rigato
- Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Veronese
- Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Rudy Celeghin
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Cipriani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Cason
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Valeria Pergola
- Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Mattesi
- Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Petra Deola
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Limongelli
- Department of Translational Sciences, University della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabino Iliceto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Basso
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Kalliopi Pilichou
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
- Correspondence: (K.P.); (B.B.)
| | - Barbara Bauce
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
- Correspondence: (K.P.); (B.B.)
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11
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Myocarditis-like Episodes in Patients with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review on the So-Called Hot-Phase of the Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091324. [PMID: 36139162 PMCID: PMC9496041 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetically determined myocardial disease, characterized by myocytes necrosis with fibrofatty substitution and ventricular arrhythmias that can even lead to sudden cardiac death. The presence of inflammatory cell infiltrates in endomyocardial biopsies or in autoptic specimens of ACM patients has been reported, suggesting a possible role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of the disease. Furthermore, chest pain episodes accompanied by electrocardiographic changes and troponin release have been observed and defined as the “hot-phase” phenomenon. The aim of this critical systematic review was to assess the clinical features of ACM patients presenting with “hot-phase” episodes. According to PRISMA guidelines, a search was run in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases using the following keywords: “arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy”; “myocarditis” or “arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy”; “troponin” or “arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy”; and “hot-phase”. A total of 1433 titles were retrieved, of which 65 studies were potentially relevant to the topic. Through the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 papers reporting 103 ACM patients who had experienced hot-phase episodes were selected for this review. Age at time of episodes was available in 76% of cases, with the mean age reported being 26 years ± 14 years (min 2–max 71 years). Overall, 86% of patients showed left ventricular epicardial LGE. At the time of hot-phase episodes, 49% received a diagnosis of ACM (Arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy in the majority of cases), 19% of dilated cardiomyopathy and 26% of acute myocarditis. At the genetic study, Desmoplakin (DSP) was the more represented disease-gene (69%), followed by Plakophillin-2 (9%) and Desmoglein-2 (6%). In conclusion, ACM patients showing hot-phase episodes are usually young, and DSP is the most common disease gene, accounting for 69% of cases. Currently, the role of “hot-phase” episodes in disease progression and arrhythmic risk stratification remains to be clarified.
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12
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Çimen T, Saguner AM. What’s New in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathies. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11164764. [PMID: 36013003 PMCID: PMC9409703 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11164764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ardan M. Saguner
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-(0)44-255-2111; Fax: +41-(0)44-255-4004
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