scholarly journals Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: pathogenesis, pro-arrhythmic remodelling, and novel approaches for risk stratification and therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 116 (9) ◽  
pp. 1571-1584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M van der Voorn ◽  
Anneline S J M te Riele ◽  
Cristina Basso ◽  
Hugh Calkins ◽  
Carol Ann Remme ◽  
...  

Abstract Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a life-threatening cardiac disease caused by mutations in genes predominantly encoding for desmosomal proteins that lead to alterations in the molecular composition of the intercalated disc. ACM is characterized by progressive replacement of cardiomyocytes by fibrofatty tissue, ventricular dilatation, cardiac dysfunction, and heart failure but mostly dominated by the occurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). As SCD appears mostly in apparently healthy young individuals, there is a demand for better risk stratification of suspected ACM mutation carriers. Moreover, disease severity, progression, and outcome are highly variable in patients with ACM. In this review, we discuss the aetiology of ACM with a focus on pro-arrhythmic disease mechanisms in the early concealed phase of the disease. We summarize potential new biomarkers which might be useful for risk stratification and prediction of disease course. Finally, we explore novel therapeutic strategies to prevent arrhythmias and SCD in the early stages of ACM.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
Ryan Wallace ◽  
Hugh Calkins

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), also called arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia or arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, is a genetic disease characterised by progressive myocyte loss with replacement by fibrofatty tissue. This structural change leads to the prominent features of ARVC of ventricular arrhythmia and increased risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Emphasis should be placed on determining and stratifying the patient’s risk of ventricular arrhythmia and SCD. ICDs should be used to treat the former and prevent the latter, but ICDs are not benign interventions. ICDs come with their own complications in this overall young population of patients. This article reviews the literature regarding the factors that contribute to the assessment of risk stratification in ARVC patients.


Author(s):  
Brenda Gerull ◽  
Andreas Brodehl

Abstract Purpose of Review Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic disease characterized by life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in apparently healthy young adults. Mutations in genes encoding for cellular junctions can be found in about half of the patients. However, disease onset and severity, risk of arrhythmias, and outcome are highly variable and drug-targeted treatment is currently unavailable. Recent Findings This review focuses on advances in clinical risk stratification, genetic etiology, and pathophysiological concepts. The desmosome is the central part of the disease, but other intercalated disc and associated structural proteins not only broaden the genetic spectrum but also provide novel molecular and cellular insights into the pathogenesis of ACM. Signaling pathways and the role of inflammation will be discussed and targets for novel therapeutic approaches outlined. Summary Genetic discoveries and experimental-driven preclinical research contributed significantly to the understanding of ACM towards mutation- and pathway-specific personalized medicine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7722
Author(s):  
Tiziana Ciarambino ◽  
Giovanni Menna ◽  
Gennaro Sansone ◽  
Mauro Giordano

Background: Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of pathologies characterized by structural and functional alterations of the heart. Aims: The purpose of this narrative review is to focus on the most important cardiomyopathies and their epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. Methods: Clinical trials were identified by Pubmed until 30 March 2021. The search keywords were “cardiomyopathies, sudden cardiac arrest, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ARCV), takotsubo syndrome”. Results: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common primary cardiomyopathy, with a prevalence of 1:500 persons. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has a prevalence of 1:2500 and is the leading indication for heart transplantation. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is the least common of the major cardiomyopathies, representing 2% to 5% of cases. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ARCV) is a pathology characterized by the substitution of the myocardium by fibrofatty tissue. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is defined as an abrupt onset of left ventricular dysfunction in response to severe emotional or physiologic stress. Conclusion: In particular, it has been reported that HCM is the most important cause of sudden death on the athletic field in the United States. It is needless to say how important it is to know which changes in the heart due to physical activity are normal, and when they are pathological.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 536
Author(s):  
Christian Osterburg ◽  
Susanne Osterburg ◽  
Huiqing Zhou ◽  
Caterina Missero ◽  
Volker Dötsch

The p63 gene encodes a master regulator of epidermal commitment, development, and differentiation. Heterozygous mutations in the DNA binding domain cause Ectrodactyly, Ectodermal Dysplasia, characterized by limb deformation, cleft lip/palate, and ectodermal dysplasia while mutations in in the C-terminal domain of the α-isoform cause Ankyloblepharon-Ectodermal defects-Cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome, a life-threatening disorder characterized by skin fragility, severe, long-lasting skin erosions, and cleft lip/palate. The molecular disease mechanisms of these syndromes have recently become elucidated and have enhanced our understanding of the role of p63 in epidermal development. Here we review the molecular cause and functional consequences of these p63-mutations for skin development and discuss the consequences of p63 mutations for female fertility.


Author(s):  
C. Sciaccaluga ◽  
G. E. Mandoli ◽  
N. Ghionzoli ◽  
F. Anselmi ◽  
C. Sorini Dini ◽  
...  

AbstractCardiogenic shock is a clinical syndrome which is defined as the presence of primary cardiac disorder that results in hypotension together with signs of organ hypoperfusion in the state of normovolaemia or hypervolaemia. It represents a complex life-threatening condition, characterized by a high mortality rate, that requires urgent diagnostic assessment as well as treatment; therefore, it is of paramount important to advocate for a thorough risk stratification. In fact, the early identification of patients that could benefit the most from more aggressive and invasive approaches could facilitate a more efficient resource allocation. This review attempts to critically analyse the current evidence on prognosis in cardiogenic shock, focusing in particular on clinical, laboratoristic and echocardiographic prognostic parameters. Furthermore, it focuses also on the available prognostic scores, highlighting the strengths and the possible pitfalls. Finally, it provides insights into future direction that could be followed in order to ameliorate risk stratification in this delicate subset of patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianing Wu ◽  
Ilgiz Gareev ◽  
Ozal Beylerli ◽  
Albert Mukhamedzyanov ◽  
Valentin Pavlov ◽  
...  

Aim: Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are characterized by abnormal dilation and thinning of the cerebral vessels wall, leading to rupture and life-threatening aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) condition. This dictates the need to find new biomarkers that predict the presence of IAs and the risk of their rupture. The aim of this study was to measure circulating miR-126 at various time points post-aSAH to identify the timing of peak levels. Methods: Plasma samples from 62 patients with unruptured IAs (UIAs), 80 patients with aSAH at various time points (1, 3, 7, and 14 days post-event), and 47 healthy control were collected and subjected to qRT-PCR analyses for the expression levels of circulating miR-126. ROC curve and AUC were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating miR-126. Results: The expression levels of circulating miR-126 were increased in patients with UIAs than in the healthy control. Furthermore, the expression levels of circulating miR-126 rose substantially from day 1 to day 7, but with a moderate decrease from day 7 to day 14 in plasma of patients with aSAH. The peak was observed on day 7. The AUC for miR-126 was 0.75, 0.75, 0.82, 0.87, and 0.79, respectively, and demonstrated that circulating miR-126 displayed considerable accuracy in discriminating plasma of patients with UIAs and patients after aSAH at various time points from a healthy control. Conclusion: Our results indicated that circulating miR-126 in plasma samples could be served as a potential non-invasive biomarker in IAs detection and prevention IAs with a high risk of rupture.


2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Michalodimitrakis ◽  
A Papadomanolakis ◽  
J Stiakakis ◽  
K Kanaki

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or dysplasia, a heart muscle disease of unknown cause, is anatomically characterized by variable replacement of myocardial muscle with adipose or fibroadipose tissue. It is usually considered a selective disorder whereas concomitant left ventricular involvement has been noted in a few cases. Two cases of the disease with evidence of extensive left ventricular involvement at pathologic examination are described. Hearts from two patients who died suddenly showed extensive biventricular infiltration by fibrofatty tissue in the first case and exclusively in the wall of the left ventricle the localization of the fatty and fibrotic lesions. These findings might suggest that the various localizations of the fibroadipose tissue are rather different expressions of the same disease and it is preferable to be termed ‘arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy’ as other studies also indicate.


Kardiologiia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 136-145
Author(s):  
I. R. Tsoy ◽  
I. P. Kolos

The T-wave inversion (TWI) is a common electrocardiographic finding. Causes for TWI are numerous and sometimes TWI may appear in life-threatening conditions. The aim of this review was to provide an up-to-date analysis of TWI, including i) definition and prevalence; ii) causes, and iii) differential diagnosis in benign TWI, reversible myocardial ischemia of the left ventricular anterior wall; takotsubo cardiomyopathy; subarachnoid hemorrhage; pulmonary embolism; right ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy; and “cardiac memory”. The review presents practical electrophysiological criteria, which allow suspecting in time a life-threatening condition to choose an up-to-date treatment.


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