The Subclinical Cardiomyopathy of Friedreich's Ataxia in a Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND

Identification of a subclinical cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients with Friedreich's ataxia (FA) has not been well-described.

METHODS

We performed echocardiography (Echo), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), and neurologic assessment in a cross-sectional analysis of 48 genetically confirmed FA subjects aged 9-17 years with moderate neurologic impairment but without a cardiovascular history. Echo- and cMRI-determined left ventricular mass were indexed (LVMI) to height in grams/m. LV remodeling was categorized as concentric remodeling (CR), concentric hypertrophy (CH), or eccentric hypertrophy based upon Echo- determined relative LV wall thickness.

RESULTS

Echo LVMI exceeded age-based normal values in 85% of subjects, and cMRI-determined LVMI correlated with depression of both diastolic and systolic tissue Doppler velocity (E': r = -0.65, P < .001, S': r = -0.46, P < .001) as well as increased early diastolic Doppler flow velocity/tissue velocity ratio (r= 0.55, P < .001), a marker of elevated LV filling pressure. Similar associations were found with echo-determined LV mass. Evidence of depressed LV relaxation and increased LV stiffness were observed in 88% and 71%, of subjects, respectively, despite a normal LV ejection fraction in almost all cases (mean = 60% + 7%). CR and CH were present in 40% and 44% of the study group, respectively, although significant depressions of E' and S' were observed only in subjects with CH (P < .005).

CONCLUSIONS

A subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is common in pediatric FA patients and CH is associated with both diastolic and systolic dysfunction.