Articles tagged with Cardiomyopathy
Researchers have created the first patient-specific zebrafish model for arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a heart disease caused by a genetic mutation. The model recapitulates the human form of ACM, including fat accumulation in the heart and changes in calcium levels, and shows promise for relieving symptoms.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals sex and race disparities in the management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with women and patients of color receiving ICDs less frequently. Regional variations in ICD use were also observed, with underuse in some areas and overuse in others.
Researchers found that genomic screening can identify patients at risk for heart disease due to amyloidosis. The study used data from the MyCode Community Health Initiative and electronic health records to determine how often patients with specific transthyretin variants showed signs of cardiomyopathy.
A new study finds that genetic testing for cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias simultaneously can detect conditions more accurately than single-condition tests. This leads to better diagnosis and treatment options, such as targeted therapies and monitoring devices.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that truncated titin proteins cause a reduction in contractile force in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The research also suggests possible treatment strategies, including genetic editing using CRISPR-Cas9.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have made a major advance in understanding dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common and fatal heart disorder. The largest single cause of DCM involves the mutation of the gene that encodes titin, leading to abnormalities in heart muscle cells.
A UCL-led research team has discovered a new gene causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart condition. The study found that variants in the ALPK3 gene are responsible for 1-2% of adults with the condition, affecting approximately 1,250-2,500 people in the UK.
A new study has identified key risk factors for major atrial fibrillation outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, including age, obesity, and heart function. The research aims to create a risk-assessment tool to identify high-risk patients and prevent hospitalizations.
A new study published in Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine Journal found that teenagers knowing the results of their cardiomyopathy genetic tests do not harm family relationships or function. In fact, most adolescents were glad to receive their test results, suggesting improved mental health outcomes.
A team of researchers from Japan and Germany created a mouse model that mimics the human pathology of restrictive cardiomyopathy, allowing for easier study. The model shows changes in protein quality control and autophagy, leading to fibrosis and heart muscle stiffening.
A national study found that only half of children with cardiomyopathy have undergone genetic screening, despite critical benefits for treatment and potentially curing the disease. Genetic screening can provide lifesaving information to families and prioritize children for a lifesaving cardiac transplant.
Researchers highlight the importance of myocardial fibrosis in HCM diagnosis and treatment, citing gene mutation and abnormal energy metabolism as contributing factors. The use of magnetic resonance imaging is also discussed as a diagnostic tool for fibrosis.
The updated HCM guideline emphasizes shared decision-making in the management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It provides recommendations on evaluation and management, medical therapies, septal reduction therapies, and SCD risk assessment/prevention. The guideline aims to personalize treatment options based on patient goals and concerns.
The study analyzed a microarray dataset to identify differentially expressed genes in dilated cardiomyopathy, revealing 172 genes involved in various biological processes. The authors identified hub protein modules and key genes, including DLD and UQCRC2, which suggest potential therapeutic targets for the disease.
A new study found a correlation between RNA-binding protein clumping and protein aggregates in the hearts of patients with RBM20 dilated cardiomyopathy. This discovery suggests that RBM20 is an RNA-binding protein granule disease similar to Lou Gehrig's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Mavacamten improves key structural abnormalities in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, reducing obstruction to blood flow and abnormal mitral valve motion. The treatment also decreases elevated filling pressures and restores normal cardiac structure and function.
A genetic mutation in the cystic fibrosis gene may accelerate heart function decline in DMD patients, suggesting a potential benefit from more aggressive and earlier cardiac interventions. Researchers identified this specific mutation as exacerbating cardiomyopathy in DMD patients.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered mavacamten, a molecule that suppresses excessive force generated by hyper-contractile muscle cells in the human heart. The drug reduces maximal force of contraction by nearly 20-30% compared to controls, suggesting its potential as a treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Researchers at CNIC used cardiac magnetic resonance technology to measure exercise-related hypertrabeculation in a general population. A third of participants with high vigorous physical activity met the diagnostic criteria for noncompaction cardiomyopathy, despite being healthy.
The EXPLORER-HCM trial demonstrated that mavacamten significantly improves exercise capacity, symptoms, and quality of life in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The treatment was found to be generally well-tolerated, with a favorable safety profile.
A new study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine reveals that asymptomatic Chagas patients are at a high risk of developing cardiomyopathy, a progressive heart disease. The risk more than doubles among patients with acute infections, according to the study published in JAMA Network Open.
A Marshall University researcher has been awarded a $444,000 grant to investigate the role of sodium pump signaling in fat cells and its potential as a treatment for uremic cardiomyopathy. The study aims to reveal more about oxidative stress and its impact on disease progression.
Cleveland Clinic researchers found a significant increase in patients with stress cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat.
This observational study compared patients with acute coronary syndrome presenting during and before the COVID-19 pandemic to investigate stress cardiomyopathy incidence. Stress cardiomyopathy was found to be more prevalent during the pandemic, suggesting a potential impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health.
New research from Marshall University finds that production of peptide NaKtide in fat cells inhibits sodium pump function, preventing the development of cardiomyopathy associated with renal failure. The study also suggests targeting adipocytes may serve as a viable clinical strategy for preventing and treating the condition.
Dr. Jeffrey A. Towbin, a researcher at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, has received a NIH research project grant to identify modifier genes in cardiomyopathy. The study aims to understand how different genetic backgrounds affect the expression of myopalladin, a gene linked to the severity of cardiomyopathy.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have created an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that can detect unseen characteristics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using standard EKGs. The AI's ability to diagnose the disease was found to be highly accurate, with an area under the curve of 0.96, outperforming traditional tests.
A new gene mutation, A143T variant of GLA gene, is associated with an increased risk of Fabry cardiomyopathy. Patients carrying the mutation should initiate treatment to prevent disease progression.
Researchers have identified high levels of ketone bodies in the plasma of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy as a reliable predictor of disease progression. The biomarker could help track the progression of this inherited heart condition, which can be fatal without warning.
Researchers analyzed 2,467 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, finding racial disparities in symptom severity, healthcare access, and treatment outcomes. The study suggests that race plays a significant role in shaping the disease's impact on patients.
Researchers identified 22 new mutations in the TITIN gene associated with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease weakening the heart muscle. Patients with these mutations had severe cardiomyopathy and poorer outcomes, highlighting the need for genetic testing and aggressive monitoring.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive registry of over 2,750 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, allowing for more accurate predictions of patient risk and identification of best treatments. The study's findings will help doctors better understand the condition and its complexities.
A recent US pediatric heart transplant policy change aimed to reduce waitlist mortality rates but may have inadvertently increased deaths for certain patients. The study highlights the need for further discussion on optimizing organ allocation and waitlist criteria.
Researchers at CNIC discover strategies to inhibit kinase GSK3? in mice with ARVC5, reducing fibrosis and improving heart function. The study aims to translate the results to patients and investigate gene therapy strategies for potential cure.
A recent study published in The FASEB Journal explored the potential of SIRT6 to protect the heart from developing diabetic cardiomyopathy. Researchers found that SIRT6 over-expression can prevent the development of obesity and cardiomyopathy under conditions of excess nutrition.
The CARDIATEAM project aims to determine the unique characteristics of diabetic cardiomyopathy and identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The study will collect data from 1,600 patients with various cardiometabolic disorders over three years.
Cardiomyopathies in children are a life-threatening condition with symptoms including difficulty breathing, heart rhythm abnormalities, and swelling. Research highlights the need for better understanding of the causes to provide effective treatments and improve outcomes for affected children.
A study from the Intermountain Healthcare Heart Institute has identified eight new gene mutations that may cause or contribute to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease not caused by known external influences. The researchers found that at least 40% of patients have an underlying genetic cause for the disease.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a disorder where heart failure develops during or after pregnancy. Recent studies suggest angiogenic imbalance plays a key role, with soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1) and prolactin being important factors. The latest IPAC study recommendations are also referenced.
A nationwide study published in ESC Heart Failure has identified four major mutations causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Finland. The study found that 40% of patients carried a specific or likely mutation, while 20% were carriers of a rare gene mutation with unknown role.
A new medicine under development, vamorolone, shows improved safety in treating both inflammation and heart disease in experimental models of DMD. This is significant because the current standard of care, prednisone, reduces chronic inflammation but has harsh side effects.
Researchers have identified a key molecule named PI3K alpha that binds to gelsolin and suppresses its enzyme activity, leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. The discovery offers potential for targeted therapies in patients with heart failure.
A nationwide research team has discovered a strong relationship between early-onset atrial fibrillation and mutations in the TTN gene, which helps maintain heart muscle structure. Roughly two percent of patients with early-onset Afib had a loss-of-function mutation in TTN, increasing their likelihood of diagnosis at younger ages.
Researchers found that nearly 330 patients continued to engage in thrill-seeking activities, with nearly 8,000 total events reported. Nine people experienced serious health effects, with four cases occurring during roller coaster riding.
Research reveals PRMT1-mediated alternative splicing is strongly linked to dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition. The study's findings provide new insights into the mechanism of DCM and may lead to the development of new treatments.
Researchers have discovered that a specific gene mutation, R403Q, affects the force and velocity of myosin molecule contractions in individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This finding has implications for developing targeted drugs to improve heart function in affected patients.
Researchers discovered a micropeptide called DWORF that restores normal heart function in mice by enhancing SERCA activity and preventing calcium dysregulation. The study shows that DWORF can prevent the functional and structural effects of cardiomyopathy, making it a promising new gene therapy target for treating heart failure.
Researchers discovered that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants interact with nuclear DNA mutations to determine the severity of heart disease in mice. Different mtDNA variants conferred either worsened or protected heart damage, suggesting a key role for mtDNA in cardiomyopathy progression.
Researchers at MUSC and Ohio State University have discovered an unexpected mechanism that underlies cardiomyopathy in DMD. Inhibiting NF-κB normalizes calcium handling and significantly increases calcium gene expression, leading to improved heart function.
Research found cancer increases risk of death and rehospitalization in patients with broken heart syndrome. Patients with cancer also experienced higher risks of adverse events after discharge, highlighting the need for strict monitoring.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that people with cardiomyopathy have abnormally short telomeres in their heart muscle cells. This finding opens the door to new research and drug discovery, potentially allowing for the identification of individuals at risk for heart failure due to genetic defects.
Tafamidis improves survival and quality of life, reducing hospitalizations in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. The therapy delays neurologic progression in a similar condition, and has been approved for this condition in the EU.
A phase three clinical trial has shown that tafamidis can reduce deaths by 30% and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations by 32%. The treatment also slows the decline in quality of life among patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. If approved, it would be the first medical therapy for this life-threatening disease.
Researchers at Temple University Health System have identified four BAG3 gene variants linked to poor outcomes in African American patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The variants facilitate programmed cell death and reduce autophagy, leading to worsening heart failure.
A study led by Adam Wende found an underlying mechanism that reprograms the hearts of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, altering cellular remodeling and metabolism. The researchers identified epigenetic changes that encode a 'metabolic plasticity' in failing hearts, which may repair the ischemic and failing heart.
Researchers found that a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may help protect failing hearts in children and young adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Preliminary studies suggest that supplementing BDNF signaling could be a new way to treat heart complications in this disease.
At least 1% of the US population has an identifiable genetic risk for cancer or heart disease that can be detected through genomic screening. Implementing routine genomic screening could lead to significant benefits, but more work is needed to develop functioning models.
A 60-year-old amateur weight-lifter developed non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy after taking high doses of testosterone and receiving illegal stem cell infusions. Doctors warn that AAS abuse can cause heart problems in people without usual risk factors, especially when taken at high doses.
Permanent His-bundle pacing bypasses iatrogenic left bundle-branch block caused by conventional RV pacing, maintaining or restoring ventricular synchrony. This technique is beneficial for patients with bradycardia or conduction system abnormalities.
Researchers have discovered a genetic link between alcohol consumption and heart failure, specifically in individuals with a faulty titin gene. The study found that even moderate amounts of alcohol intake can worsen the condition by reducing heart output in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy caused by the faulty gene.