Predicting risk for cardiomyopathy in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited primary muscle disease with recessive X-linked inheritance type. Skeletal muscles damage is peculiar to this disease but cardiomyopathy can also be observed. Cardiac dysfunction is a frequent manifestation and a common cause of death at this disease. Cardiomyopathy proceeds on the background of hypodynamia and adynamia, therefore heart failure symptoms are not obvious and the illness remains undiagnosed (subclinical) and unattended, until it reaches its irreversible stage. Objective. The objective of the study is to detect the early changes in cardiovascular system at Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Materials and Methods. According to the register of genetic consultation (Samara Regional Clinical Hospital named after V.D. Seredavin) a group of 30 male patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (mean age 7.67±3.25) was detected. All patients underwent neurological and cardiological examination. Electromyography, electroencephalography, and echocardiography were used for this purpose. Results. All examined children with progressing muscular dystrophy, regardless of age and severity of motor disorders revealed the following changes in the cardiovascular system: rhythm disturbance, cardiac conduction disturbances, and disturbances of depolarization processes in myocardium. All these symptoms can be regarded as early signs of cardiomyopathy. Conclusion. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy need complete cardiac examination to detect early changes in heart and to correct them at preclinical stage.