Heart transplant anesthetic approach in a patient with Emery Dreyfuss muscular dystrophy: A case report.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is associated with cardiac abnormalities and rarely heart transplantation may be the treatment of choice. In this case, a male patient with Emery- Dreifuss muscular dystrophy developed NYHA class IV heart failure at 33 years of age and was submitted to heart transplantation. Anesthesia was adapted to prevent the development of malignant hyperthermia and rhabdomyolysis. The surgery was a success and the patient's progress was extremely positive with symptomatic improvement. In these patients, is critical to adjust not only his positioning but also the therapy administered in order to reduce iatrogeny and promote a faster recovery.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy Type 1 is associated with a high risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and end-stage heart failure.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is caused by variants in EMD (EDMD1) and LMNA (EDMD2). Cardiac conduction defects and atrial arrhythmia are common to both, but LMNA variants also cause end-stage heart failure (ESHF) and malignant ventricular arrhythmia (MVA). This study aimed to better characterize the cardiac complications of EMD variants. METHODS: Consecutively referred EMD variant-carriers were retrospectively recruited from 12 international cardiomyopathy units. MVA and ESHF incidences in male and female variant-carriers were determined. Male EMD variant-carriers with a cardiac phenotype at baseline (EMDCARDIAC) were compared with consecutively recruited male LMNA variant-carriers with a cardiac phenotype at baseline (LMNACARDIAC). RESULTS: Longitudinal follow-up data were available for 38 male and 21 female EMD variant-carriers [mean (SD) ages 33.4 (13.3) and 43.3 (16.8) years, respectively]. Nine (23.7%) males developed MVA and five (13.2%) developed ESHF during a median (inter-quartile range) follow-up of 65.0 (24.3-109.5) months. No female EMD variant-carrier had MVA or ESHF, but nine (42.8%) developed a cardiac phenotype at a median (inter-quartile range) age of 58.6 (53.2-60.4) years. Incidence rates for MVA were similar for EMDCARDIAC and LMNACARDIAC (4.8 and 6.6 per 100 person-years, respectively; log-rank P = .49). Incidence rates for ESHF were 2.4 and 5.9 per 100 person-years for EMDCARDIAC and LMNACARDIAC, respectively (log-rank P = .09). CONCLUSIONS: Male EMD variant-carriers have a risk of progressive heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias similar to that of male LMNA variant-carriers. Early implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation and heart failure drug therapy should be considered in male EMD variant-carriers with cardiac disease.

Several challenges associated with the anesthetic management of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy patients: case report

Abstract Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy is a very rare type of muscular dystrophy, associated with contractures, atrophy, and muscle weakness, besides cardiomyopathy with severe arrhythmias. Published studies focusing on this disorder are scarce. We describe the anesthetic management of a male patient with Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy, to be submitted to umbilical and inguinal hernioplasty and hydrocele repair under epidural anesthesia. The anesthesia approach enabled us to circumvent the patient's susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia and his potentially difficult airway, in addition to maintaining hemodynamic stability. The day after surgery the patient resumed walking, and two days later he was discharged from the hospital.

Several challenges associated with the anesthetic management of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy patients: case report.

Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy is a very rare type of muscular dystrophy, associated with contractures, atrophy, and muscle weakness, besides cardiomyopathy with severe arrhythmias. Published studies focusing on this disorder are scarce. We describe the anesthetic management of a male patient with Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy, to be submitted to umbilical and inguinal hernioplasty and hydrocele repair under epidural anesthesia. The anesthesia approach enabled us to circumvent the patient...s susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia and his potentially difficult airway, in addition to maintaining hemodynamic stability. The day after surgery the patient resumed walking, and two days later he was discharged from the hospital.

2022 HRS expert consensus statement on evaluation and management of arrhythmic risk in neuromuscular disorders.

This international multidisciplinary document is intended to guide electrophysiologists, cardiologists, other clinicians, and health care professionals in caring for patients with arrhythmic complications of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The document presents an overview of arrhythmias in NMDs followed by detailed sections on specific disorders: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2; myotonic dystrophy type 1 and type 2; Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1B; facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy; and mitochondrial myopathies, including Friedreich ataxia and Kearns-Sayre syndrome, with an emphasis on managing arrhythmic cardiac manifestations. End-of-life management of arrhythmias in patients with NMDs is also covered. The document sections were drafted by the writing committee members according to their area of expertise. The recommendations represent the consensus opinion of the expert writing group, graded by class of recommendation and level of evidence utilizing defined criteria. The recommendations were made available for public comment; the document underwent review by the Heart Rhythm Society Scientific and Clinical Documents Committee and external review and endorsement by the partner and collaborating societies. Changes were incorporated based on these reviews. By using a breadth of accumulated available evidence, the document is designed to provide practical and actionable clinical information and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias and thus improve the care of patients with NMDs.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy with dilated cardiomyopathy preceding skeletal muscle symptoms.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a slowly progressive skeletal muscle and joint disorder associated with cardiac complications. Dilated cardiomyopathy was the initial manifestation of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy in an 8-year-old girl. Despite normal muscle and myocardial biopsies, genetic testing revealed LMNA mutations. As Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is associated with minimal skeletal muscle weakness, cardiac complications can facilitate its diagnosis.

Predictors of mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy in a long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is an extremely rare muscular dystrophy due to either emerinopathy (EMD) or laminopathy (LMNA). The main risk for patients is that of cardiovascular complications. AIMS: This study aimed to identify predictors of adverse clinical events in patients with EDMD in a long-term follow-up observation. METHODS: A total of 45 patients with confirmed EMD or LMNA mutation were included in the study. The relationships between clinical parameters, the overall survival rate, and risk factors for disease progression were assessed. The primary endpoint was defined as death, while the secondary endpoint comprised death, resuscitated cardiac arrest (RCA), heart transplant (HTX), stroke, end-stage heart failure (ESHF), and hospitalization due to heart failure (HF). RESULTS: During a median length of follow-up observation of ten years (interquartile range, 5-15), ten patients (22%) died, one suffered RCA, two had HTX, and six suffered ischemic strokes (13%). Seven patients developed ESHF, and eight were hospitalized due to HF. The secondary endpoint occurred in 16 patients (36%). LMNA mutation (hazard ratio [HR], 6.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-22.4; P = 0.008) and higher serum N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.06-1.56 per 100 pg/ml; P = 0.01) increased the risk of death. Higher tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) decreased the risk for the secondary endpoint (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.90 mm; P <0.001). NT-proBNP >257 pg/ml and TAPSE <21 mm may be assumed as the best cut-off values for the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LMNA mutation and higher NT-proBNP concentration were associated with increased mortality in EDMD. Lower TAPSE was a predictor of a composite secondary endpoint in EDMD.

Staged Management of Cervicothoracic Lordosis and Scoliosis in an Emery-Dreifuss VI Muscular Dystrophy Patient: A Case Report.

CASE: We report the case of an 18-year-old man with extreme cervicothoracic lordosis and a progressive scoliosis secondary to Emery-Dreifuss Type VI muscular dystrophy. In a staged fashion, the patient underwent posterior cervical muscle release, halo-gravity traction, and posterior instrumented spinal fusion from C3-L4 with multiple posterior column osteotomies. The patient was followed over 2 years postoperatively with restoration of normal spinal alignment in both the coronal and sagittal profiles. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case illustrating the gradual correction of severe lordoscoliosis in this patient population.

Refractory Right Ventricular Failure in a Patient with Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy.

A 23-year-old man had progressive muscle weakness and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) due to a LMNA (lamin A/C) mutation. Congestive heart failure diagnosed at 19 years of age. Maximal drug treatment/cardiac resynchronization failed to improve the cardiac function. He was therefore hospitalized due to heart failure. Despite extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, he developed severe right heart dysfunction and died (multiple organ failure). A cardiac lesion's presence determines the prognosis of EDMD. While there are many arrhythmia reports, few reports on heart failure (particularly severe heart failure requiring cardiac transplantation) have been published. Right heart function monitoring and early ventricular-assist device use plus right heart support considering heart transplantation are important.

Restoration of Global Sagittal Alignment After Surgical Correction of Cervical Hyperlordosis in a Patient with Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy: A Case Report.

CASE: We report a rare cervical hyperlordotic deformity in a 19-year-old woman with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and concomitant scoliosis. After standard posterolateral instrumentation and fusion of C2-T1 and extensive soft-tissue release, her neck pain improved and unassisted maintenance of cervical alignment and horizontal gaze were preserved through an 8-year follow-up. More importantly, she exhibited reciprocal correction of compensatory global sagittal malalignment, including lumbar lordosis. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of full-spine analysis for all patients with spinal deformity to identify and differentiate primary driver(s) of deformity from compensatory mechanisms to individualize treatment toward what truly drives the patient's disability.

A novel emerin gene mutation in Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy patient with spontaneous chordae tendinae rupture.

Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is an inherited myopathy characterized by early contractures, slow progressive muscle weakness and cardiac involvement. To date at least seven genes have been associated to EDMD with different inheritance patterns, being emerin gene responsible for the X-linked form of the disease. We report a 40-year-old man who was referred for severe gait difficulty. At age 6 years the patient presented with a waddling gate, lumbar lordosis and heel contractures. Both electrophysiology and muscle biopsy were consistent with a neurogenic disorder and he received a diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy type 3. At the age of 30 the patient developed heart involvement with junctional escape rhythm and, eight years later, had a spontaneous chordae tendinae rupture. A new clinical examination showed severe muscular weakness and atrophy in scapulohumeroperoneal pattern with significant involvement of the lower facial and intrinsic hand muscles and on a second muscle biopsy emerin was absent by immunohistochemistry and by immunoblot analysis. Sequence analysis of EMD gene revealed the presence of a novel mutation represented by an out-of-frame deletion spanning from the beginning of exon 1 to the half of intron 2 (p.Asp6Glyfs*27). Our study expands the clinical and molecular spectrum of X-linked EDMD.

Cardiac Involvement in Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy and Related Management Strategies.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a group of hereditary muscular dystrophy syndrome caused by deficiency of genes encoding nuclear envelope proteins. Patients having EDMD show the triad of muscle dystrophy, joint contracture, and cardiac disease. In almost all patients, cardiac involvement is prevalent and is the most severe aspect of EDMD. Cardiac disease is predominantly shown by conduction defects, atrial fibrillation/flutter, and atrial standstill. Sudden death and heart failure because of left ventricular dysfunction are important causes of mortality, particularly in those patients that have the LMNA mutation. Medical treatment of EDMD is limited to addressing symptoms and ambulation support; moreover, pacemaker implantation is necessary when there are severe conduction defects and bradycardia occurs. Note that automated defibrillation devices may be considered for those patients who have a high risk of sudden death, rate, or rhythm control. Also, anticoagulation should be initiated in those patients who have atrial fibrillation/flutter. Thus, for optimal management, a multidisciplinary approach is required.