Inherited cardiac conditions Flashcards
What are the 3 types of inherited cardiac condition?
Cardiomyopathies
Channelopathies
Aortopathies
What are some examples of inherited cardiomyopathies?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy
What is meant by a cardiomyopathy?
A disorder of the heart muscle
What is meant by a channelopathy?
A condition that affects the ion channels of the heart
What is meant by an aortopathy?
A condition affecting the aorta
What are some examples of channelopathies?
Congenital long QT syndrome
Brugada syndrome
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
What are some examples of aortopathies?
Marfan’s syndrome
Ehlos Danlos syndrome
Luiz Dietz syndrome
What are the 5 main types of cardiomyopathies (Not all inherited)
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
Amyloidosis
What is hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)?
A condition in which there is hypertrophy (Bigger cells) of the ventricular wall, which decreases the volume of the heart chambers
Describe the pathology of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
This results in a large, solid heart with a disarray of muscle fibres, which can lead to stronger contractions but decreased filling
What are the most common mutations present in inherited hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy?
Mutations for sarcomeric genes:
- ß-Myosin heavy chain
- Myosin bindin protein C
- Alpha tropomyosin
What are some common presentations of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy?
Sudden death (Especially in athletes)
Heart failure
Angina
Atrial fibrillation
Describe the pathology of dilated cardiomyopathy
This is a condition resulting in an increase in heart size by 2-3 times, with some hypertrophic changes, but mostly a floppy heart wall
What are some common mutations in dilated cardiomyopathy?
Heart muscle protein genes:
- Desmin
- Dystrophin
- Titin
- Lamin C
What are some other, non genetic causes of dilated cardiomyopathy?
Toxins
Alcoholism
Doxorubicin (Chemotherapy agent)
Myocarditis
Childbirth
What are some clinical features associated with dilated cardiomyopathy?
Shortness of breath
Low ejection fraction
What is the main treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy?
The same as heart failure:
A - ACE inhibitor/ ARB
B - ß-Blocker
A - Aldosterone antagonist
L - Loop diuretic
Describe the pathology of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
This is a condition characterised by the fibro-fatty replacement of cardiomyocytes in the right ventricle (Left ventricular involvement in <50% of cases)