Key result
Cardiac complications are common in muscular dystrophies, necessitating long-term cardiology follow-up for cardiomyopathy and conduction problems.
Highlights the importance of long-term cardiac screening and mutation-specific diagnosis for managing cardiomyopathy and conduction issues in patients with muscular dystrophies.
Cardiac surveillance remains key in muscular dystrophies; level 5 evidence leaves optimal protocols open.
The muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of conditions with a variable distribution and prognosis. Cardiac complications are common and may significantly alter both quality and quantity of life. Whilst complications are disease specific, many patients will require long-term cardiology follow-up looking for the development of a cardiomyopathic process or conduction problems. Improvements in diagnostic techniques now allow mutation-specific diagnosis to be made in some patients so adequate counselling, management and screening can be put in place for individuals and their families.
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Beynon et al. (2008) conducted a review in muscular dystrophies. Cardiac complications are common in muscular dystrophies, necessitating long-term cardiology follow-up for cardiomyopathy and conduction problems.
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