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Background: Few clinical data are available on NEXN mutation carriers, and the gene's involvement in cardiomyopathies or sudden death has not been fully established. Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of putative pathogenic variants in NEXN and to describe the phenotype and prognosis of patients carrying the variants., Methods: DNA samples from consecutive patients with cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death/sudden infant death syndrome/idiopathic ventricular fibrillation were sequenced with a custom panel of genes. Index cases carrying at least one putative pathogenic variant in the NEXN gene were selected., Results: Of the 9516 index patients sequenced, 31 were carriers of a putative pathogenic variant in NEXN only, including 2 with double variants and 29 with a single variant. Of the 29 unrelated probands with a single variant (16 males; median age at diagnosis, 32.0 [26.0-49.0] years), 21 presented with dilated cardiomyopathy (prevalence, 0.33%), and 3 presented with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (prevalence, 0.14%). Three patients had idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, and there were 2 cases of sudden infant death syndrome (prevalence, 0.46%). For patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, the median left ventricle ejection fraction was 37.5% (26.25-50.0) at diagnosis and improved with treatment in 13 (61.9%). Over a median follow-up period of 6.0 years, we recorded 3 severe arrhythmic events and 2 severe hemodynamic events., Conclusions: Putative pathogenic NEXN variants were mainly associated with dilated cardiomyopathy; in these individuals, the prognosis appeared to be relatively good. However, severe and early onset phenotypes were also observed-especially in patients with double NEXN variants. We also detected NEXN variants in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and sudden infant death syndrome/idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, although a causal link could not be established., Competing Interests: Disclosures None.

In the early nineties, few years before the birth of Europace, the clinical and scientific world of familial arrhythmogenic conditions was revolutionized by the identification of the first disease-causing genes. The explosion of genetic studies over a 15-year period led to the discovery of major disease-causing genes in practically all channelopathies and cardiomyopathies, bringing insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of these conditions. The birth of next generation sequencing allowed a further step forward and other significant genes, as CALM1-3 in channelopathies and FLN C and TTN in cardiomyopathies were identified. Genotype-phenotype studies allowed the implementation of the genetic results in diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic management with a different level of evidence in different arrhythmogenic conditions. The influence of common genetic variants, i.e. SNPs, on disease manifestation was proved in mid-twenties, and in the last 10 years with the advent of genome-wide association studies performed in familial arrhythmogenic diseases, the concept of polygenic risk score has been consolidated. Now, we are at the start of another amazing phase, i.e. the initiation of first gene therapy clinical trials., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: H.C. is a consultant and/or has received honoraria from Medtronic, Biosense Webster, Atricure, Abbott, and Boston Scientific., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Competing Interests: Disclosures None.

Background and Objective: Pediatric cardiomyopathies are clinically heterogeneous heart muscle disorders associated with significant morbidity and mortality for which substantial evidence for a genetic contribution was previously reported. We present a detailed molecular investigation of a cohort of 231 patients presenting with primary cardiomyopathy below the age of 18 years., Methods: Cases with pediatric cardiomyopathies were analyzed using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflow based on a virtual panel including 57 cardiomyopathy-related genes., Results: This molecular approach led to the identification of 69 cases (29.9% of the cohort) genotyped as a carrier of at least one pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant. Fourteen patients were carriers of two mutated alleles (homozygous or compound heterozygous) on the same cardiomyopathy-related gene, explaining the severe clinical disease with early-onset cardiomyopathy. Homozygous TNNI3 pathogenic variants were detected for five unrelated neonates (2.2% of the cohort), with four of them carrying the same truncating variant, i.e. p.Arg69Alafs*8., Conclusions: Our study confirmed the importance of genetic testing in pediatric cardiomyopathies. Discovery of novel pathogenic variations is crucial for clinical management of affected families, as a positive genetic result might be used by a prospective parent for prenatal genetic testing or in the process of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: Advances in paediatric cardiology have improved the prognosis of children with inherited cardiac disorders. However, health-related quality of life (QoL) and physical activity have been scarcely analysed in children with inherited cardiac arrhythmia or inherited cardiomyopathy. Moreover, current guidelines on the eligibility of young athletes with inherited cardiac disorders for sports participation mainly rely on expert opinions and remain controversial., Methods: The QUALIMYORYTHM trial is a multicentre observational controlled study. The main objective is to compare the QoL of children aged 6 to 17 years old with inherited cardiac arrhythmia (long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia), or inherited cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic, dilated, or restrictive cardiomyopathy), to that of age and gender-matched healthy subjects. The secondary objective is to assess their QoL according to the disease's clinical and genetic characteristics, the level of physical activity and motivation for sports, the exercise capacity, and the socio-demographic data. Participants will wear a fitness tracker (ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer) for 2 weeks. A total of 214 children are required to observe a significant difference of 7 ± 15 points in the PedsQL, with a power of 90% and an alpha risk of 5%., Discussion: After focusing on the survival in children with inherited cardiac disorders, current research is expanding to patient-reported outcomes and secondary prevention. The QUALIMYORYTHM trial intends to improve the level of evidence for future guidelines on sports eligibility in this population. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04712136, registered on January 15th, 2021 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04712136 )., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background and Objective: Molecular diagnosis in inherited cardiac diseases is challenging because of the significant genetic and clinical heterogeneity. We present a detailed molecular investigation of a cohort of 4185 patients with referrals for inherited cardiac diseases., Methods: Patients suffering from cardiomyopathies (3235 probands), arrhythmia syndromes (760 probands), or unexplained sudden cardiac arrest (190 cases) were analyzed using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflow based on a panel of 105 genes involved in sudden cardiac death., Results: (Likely) pathogenic variations were identified for approximately 30% of the cohort. Pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) were detected in approximately 3.1% of patients for whom a (likely) pathogenic variation were identified. A (likely) pathogenic variation was also detected for 21.1% of patients who died from sudden cardiac death. Unexpected variants, including incidental findings, were present for 28 cases. Pathogenic variations were mainly observed in genes with definitive evidence of disease causation., Conclusions: Our study, which comprises over than 4000 probands, is one of most important cohorts reported in inherited cardiac diseases. The global mutation detection rate would be significantly increased by determining the putative pathogenicity of the large number of variants of uncertain significance. Identification of "unexpected" variants also showed the clinical utility of genetic testing in inherited cardiac diseases as they can redirect clinical management and medical resources toward a meaningful precision medicine. In cases with negative result, a WGS approach could be considered, but would probably have a limited impact on mutation detection rate as (likely) pathogenic variations were essentially clustered in genes with strong evidence of disease causation.

Background: An accurate estimation of the risk of life-threatening (LT) ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) in patients with LMNA mutations is crucial to select candidates for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation., Methods: We included 839 adult patients with LMNA mutations, including 660 from a French nationwide registry in the development sample, and 179 from other countries, referred to 5 tertiary centers for cardiomyopathies, in the validation sample. LTVTA was defined as (1) sudden cardiac death or (2) implantable cardioverter defibrillator-treated or hemodynamically unstable VTA. The prognostic model was derived using the Fine-Gray regression model. The net reclassification was compared with current clinical practice guidelines. The results are presented as means (SD) or medians [interquartile range]., Results: We included 444 patients, 40.6 (14.1) years of age, in the derivation sample and 145 patients, 38.2 (15.0) years, in the validation sample, of whom 86 (19.3%) and 34 (23.4%) experienced LTVTA over 3.6 [1.0-7.2] and 5.1 [2.0-9.3] years of follow-up, respectively. Predictors of LTVTA in the derivation sample were: male sex, nonmissense LMNA mutation, first degree and higher atrioventricular block, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, and left ventricular ejection fraction (https://lmna-risk-vta.fr). In the derivation sample, C-index (95% CI) of the model was 0.776 (0.711-0.842), and the calibration slope 0.827. In the external validation sample, the C-index was 0.800 (0.642-0.959), and the calibration slope was 1.082 (95% CI, 0.643-1.522). A 5-year estimated risk threshold ≥7% predicted 96.2% of LTVTA and net reclassified 28.8% of patients with LTVTA in comparison with the guidelines-based approach., Conclusions: In comparison with the current standard of care, this risk prediction model for LTVTA in laminopathies significantly facilitated the choice of candidates for implantable cardioverter defibrillators., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03058185.

Aims: Cardiac atrial arrhythmias are the most common type of heart rhythm disorders. Its genetic elucidation remains challenging with poor understanding of cellular and molecular processes. These arrhythmias usually affect elderly population but in rare cases, young children may also suffer from such electrical diseases. Severe complications, including stroke, are commonly age related. This study aims to identify a genetic link between electro-mechanic atrial dysfunction and stroke in children., Methods and Results: In two unrelated boys of 11 and 14 years with both stroke and atrial arrhythmias, the clinical phenotype was determined through a complete physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter ECG, and computed tomography. The genetic testing was performed on a large 95 genes panel implicated in myocardial electrical imbalance, using the next generation sequencing method. The panel also includes the genes usually associated with the development of cardiomyopathies. In one child, a left atrial dilation was observed. The 2nd boy suffered from atrial standstill. Both suffered from atrial bradycardia, flutter, and fibrillation. The complete genetic testing revealed the SCN5A c.3823G>A (p.D1275N) mutation in the first family, c.1141-2A>G and c.3157G>A (p.E1053K) mutations in the second family., Conclusion: Our results strengthen the association between Nav1.5 mutations and the occurrence of stroke in young patients. It emphasizes the need to look for atrial myopathy in the decision process for anticoagulation in young patients with atrial arrhythmic events.

Background: Laminopathies are associated with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, from lipodystrophy to cardiac diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess genotype-phenotype correlations in a lipodystrophic laminopathy caused by the Lamin A (LMNA) mutation T655fsX49. This mutation leads to synthesis of nonfarnesylated-mutated prelamin A that does not undergo the physiologic lamin A maturation process., Methods and Results: We studied 35 patients originating from Reunion Island who carried the LMNA T655fsX49 mutation. Comparisons of cardiac and endocrinologic features were made between homozygous and heterozygous patients. Homozygous patients presented more overlapping syndromes with severe cardiac phenotypes, defined by cardiolaminopathy, early atheroma with coronary heart disease (CHD) and high-degree conduction disorder compared with heterozygous (40% vs 4%; P = .016). Moreover, homozygous patients had earlier onset (49.6 vs 66 years old; P = .0002). Left ventricle lowered ejection fraction associated with heart failure was more frequent in homozygous than in heterozygous patients (40% vs 0%, respectively). Lipodystrophic traits were more marked in the homozygous group but only reached statistical significance for L4 subcutaneous fat measurement (2.8 ± 2.16 vs 18.7 ± 8.9 mm; P = .008) and leptin levels (2.45 ± 1.6 vs 11.26 ± 7.2 ng/mL; P = .0001)., Conclusions: Our results suggest that there is a relationship between mutated prelamin-A accumulation and the severity of the phenotypes in homozygous familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 patients who harbor the LMNA T655fsX49 mutation. A dose-dependent effect seems likely., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major public health issue worldwide. In the young (< 40 years of age), genetic cardiomyopathies and viral myocarditis, sometimes in combination, are the most frequent, but underestimated, causes of SCD. Molecular autopsy is essential for prevention. Several studies have shown an association between genetic cardiomyopathies and viral myocarditis, which is probably underestimated due to insufficient post-mortem investigations. We report on four autopsy cases illustrating the pathogenesis of these combined pathologies. In two cases, a genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in combination with Herpes Virus Type 6 (HHV6) and/or Parvovirus-B19 (PVB19) in the heart. In the third case, autopsy revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy and virological analyses revealed acute myocarditis caused by three viruses: PVB19, HHV6 and Epstein-Barr virus. Genetic analyses revealed a mutation in the gene coding for desmin. The fourth case illustrated a channelopathy and a PVB19/HHV6 coinfection. Our four cases illustrate the highly probable deleterious role of cardiotropic viruses in the occurrence of SCD in subjects with genetic cardiomyopathies. We discuss the pathogenetic link between viral myocarditis and genetic cardiomyopathy. Molecular autopsy is essential in prevention of these SCD, and a close collaboration between cardiologists, pathologists, microbiologists and geneticians is mandatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early nineties, few years before the birth of Europace, the clinical and scientific world of familial arrhythmogenic conditions was revolutionized by the identification of the first disease-causing genes. The explosion of genetic studies over a 15-year period led to the discovery of major disease-causing genes in practically all channelopathies and cardiomyopathies, bringing insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of these conditions. The birth of next generation sequencing allowed a further step forward and other significant genes, as CALM1–3 in channelopathies and FLN C and TTN in cardiomyopathies were identified. Genotype–phenotype studies allowed the implementation of the genetic results in diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic management with a different level of evidence in different arrhythmogenic conditions. The influence of common genetic variants, i.e. SNPs, on disease manifestation was proved in mid-twenties, and in the last 10 years with the advent of genome-wide association studies performed in familial arrhythmogenic diseases, the concept of polygenic risk score has been consolidated. Now, we are at the start of another amazing phase, i.e. the initiation of first gene therapy clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a rare genetic disease associated with ventricular arrhythmias in patients. The occurrence of these arrhythmias is due to direct electrophysiological remodeling of the cardiomyocytes, namely a reduction in the action potential duration (APD) and a disturbance of Ca2+ homeostasis. Interestingly, spironolactone (SP), a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, is known to block K+ channels and may reduce arrhythmias. Here, we assess the direct effect of SP and its metabolite canrenoic acid (CA) in cardiomyocytes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) of a patient bearing a missense mutation (c.394C>T) in the DSC2 gene coding for desmocollin 2 and for the amino acid replacement of arginine by cysteine at position 132 (R132C). SP and CA corrected the APD in the muted cells (vs. the control) in linking to a normalization of the hERG and KCNQ1 K+ channel currents. In addition, SP and CA had a direct cellular effect on Ca2+ homeostasis. They reduced the amplitude and aberrant Ca2+ events. In conclusion, we show the direct beneficial effects of SP on the AP and Ca2+ homeostasis of DSC2-specific hiPSC-CMs. These results provide a rationale for a new therapeutical approach to tackle mechanical and electrical burdens in patients suffering from ACM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies suggested that genetic status affects the clinical course of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) patients. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of desmoglein-2 (DSG2) mutation carriers to those who carry the plakophilin-2 (PKP2) mutation, the most common ARVC/D-associated gene.Methods and Results: Consecutive ARVC/D patients carrying a pathogenic mutation in PKP2 or DSG2 were selected from a national ARVC/D registry. The cumulative freedom from sustained ventricular arrhythmia and cardiac transplantation/death from heart failure (HF) during follow-up was assessed, compared between PKP2 and DSG2, and predictors for ventricular arrhythmia and HF events determined. Overall, 118 patients from 78 families were included: 27 (23%) carried a DSG2 mutation and 91 (77%) a PKP2 mutation. There were no significant differences between DSG2 and PKP2 mutation carriers concerning gender, proband status, age at diagnosis, T-wave inversion, or right ventricular dysfunction at baseline. DSG2 patients displayed more frequent epsilon wave (37% vs. 17%, P = 0.048) and left ventricular dysfunction at diagnosis (54% vs. 10%, P < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 5.6 years (2.5-16), DSG2 and PKP2 mutation carriers displayed a similar risk of sustained ventricular arrhythmia (log-rank P = 0.20), but DSG2 mutation carriers were at higher risk of transplantation/HF-related death (log-rank P < 0.001). The presence of a DSG2 mutation vs. PKP2 mutation was a predictor of transplantation/HF-related death in univariate Cox analysis (P = 0.0005).Conclusions: In this multicentre cohort, DSG2 mutation carriers were found to be at high risk of end-stage HF compared to PKP2 mutation carriers, supporting careful haemodynamic monitoring of these patients. The benefit of early HF treatment needs to be assessed in DSG2 carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Cardiac atrial arrhythmias are the most common type of heart rhythm disorders. Its genetic elucidation remains challenging with poor understanding of cellular and molecular processes. These arrhythmias usually affect elderly population but in rare cases, young children may also suffer from such electrical diseases. Severe complications, including stroke, are commonly age related. This study aims to identify a genetic link between electro-mechanic atrial dysfunction and stroke in children.Methods and results: In two unrelated boys of 11 and 14 years with both stroke and atrial arrhythmias, the clinical phenotype was determined through a complete physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter ECG, and computed tomography. The genetic testing was performed on a large 95 genes panel implicated in myocardial electrical imbalance, using the next generation sequencing method. The panel also includes the genes usually associated with the development of cardiomyopathies. In one child, a left atrial dilation was observed. The 2nd boy suffered from atrial standstill. Both suffered from atrial bradycardia, flutter, and fibrillation. The complete genetic testing revealed the SCN5A c.3823G>A (p.D1275N) mutation in the first family, c.1141-2A>G and c.3157G>A (p.E1053K) mutations in the second family.Conclusion: Our results strengthen the association between Nav1.5 mutations and the occurrence of stroke in young patients. It emphasizes the need to look for atrial myopathy in the decision process for anticoagulation in young patients with atrial arrhythmic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message High defibrillation threshold (DFT) and defibrillation failure can lead to intractable ventricular arrhythmias. Additional coronary sinus coil is an effective strategy to achieve marked reduction in DFT. However, physicians should retain this might prevent future coronary sinus lead placement in case the patient would develop complete left bundle branch block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present case report describes a mother and son with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) with early and greater left ventricle (LV) involvement. The presence of curly hair in both, together with the resuscitated sudden cardiac death of the mother, allowed timely genetic testing, which found a pathogenic nonsense mutation of the desmoplakin gene. While asymptomatic from an arrhythmic point of view, the son's evolution was characterized by a well-documented exercise-induced myocarditis-like stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (also known as apical ballooning syndrome) is a relatively new clinical entity characterized by reversible left ventricular dysfunction. Its clinical presentation and electrocardiographic findings are similar to acute myocardial infarction but without significant coronary artery disease. Cardiotoxicity is a major complication of various anticancer drugs; however, only a few cases of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy associated with anticancer drugs, including 5-fluorouracil, have been reported. We describe a 48-year-old man who developed acute coronary syndrome, thought to be similar to Tako-Tsubo syndrome, after receiving a chemotherapy regimen consisting of 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and calcium folinate (FOLFOX protocol) for colic adenocarcinoma. Approximately 24 hours after receiving his first cycle of chemotherapy, the patient, who did not have a history of cardiovascular disease, developed chest pain, with abnormal electrocardiographic results and a mildly increased troponin T level. Coronary angiography did not show any significant coronary lesions. Echocardiography revealed marked left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 15%) with severe hypokinesia in all apical and median segments. The patient was stabilized with the introduction of an intraaortic balloon pump and pressor therapy. One month later, myocardial magnetic resonance imaging confirmed total recovery of left ventricular systolic function. Thus, the second chemotherapy cycle was administered at half the dose-intensity, along with ramipril and dihiazem. The chemotherapy regimen was well tolerated. Two weeks later, at the end of the third chemotherapy cycle, administered using the full-dose regimen, the patient experienced cardiac arrest, necessitating cardiopulmonary resuscitation. After transfer to the cardiology intensive care unit, acute heart failure recurred (LVEF 35%). Normal recovery of left ventricular function occurred a few days later. Chemotherapy was discontinued, and treatment with bisoprolol was started. Four months later, the patient remained completely asymptomatic of any cardiac manifestations. Use of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated a probable relationship (score of 8) between the patient's development of acute coronary Tako-Tsubo-like syndrome and 5-fluorouracil. Clinicians should be aware of this potential adverse effect when monitoring patients receiving chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the leading causes of heart failure with high morbidity and mortality. More than 30 genes have been reported to cause DCM. To provide new insights into the pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy, a mutational screening on 4 DCM-causing genes (MYH7, TNNT2, TNNI3 and LMNA) was performed in a cohort of 105 unrelated DCM (64 familial cases and 41 sporadic cases) using a High Resolution Melting (HRM)/sequencing strategy. Screening of a highly conserved arginine/serine (RS)-rich region in exon 9 of RBM20 was also performed. Nineteen different mutations were identified in 20 index patients (19%), including 10 novels. These included 8 LMNA variants in 9 (8.6%) probands, 5 TNNT2 variants in 5 probands (4.8%), 4 MYH7 variants in 3 probands (3.8%), 1 TNNI3 variant in 1 proband (0.9%), and 1 RBM20 variant in 1 proband (0.9%). One proband was double-heterozygous. LMNA mutations represent the most prevalent genetic DCM cause. Most patients carrying LMNA mutations exhibit conduction system defects and/or cardiac arrhythmias. Our study also showed than prevalence of mutations affecting TNNI3 or the (RS)-rich region of RBM20 is lower than 1%. The discovery of novel DCM mutations is crucial for clinical management of patients and their families because pre-symptomatic diagnosis is possible and precocious intervention could prevent or ameliorate the prognosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]