We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Titin-Truncating Variant Associated With Late-Onset Dilated Cardiomyopathy

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Feb 2022
Print article
Image: Histopathology of dilated cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology in a 58 year female. The histologic findings in dilated cardiomyopathy are usually nonspecific. The image shows myocyte hypertrophy with enlarged hyperchromatic nuclei, mixed with myocyte atrophy and stretching. In addition, there is focal interstitial fibrosis (Photo courtesy of Dr. Dharam Ramnani)
Image: Histopathology of dilated cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology in a 58 year female. The histologic findings in dilated cardiomyopathy are usually nonspecific. The image shows myocyte hypertrophy with enlarged hyperchromatic nuclei, mixed with myocyte atrophy and stretching. In addition, there is focal interstitial fibrosis (Photo courtesy of Dr. Dharam Ramnani)

Late-onset dilated cardiomyopathy might represent a distinct disease subtype marked by an increased burden of genetic variants, a new study has found. The findings further suggested that genetic testing may be beneficial for older dilated cardiomyopathy patients.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood effectively. Symptoms vary from none to feeling tired, leg swelling, and shortness of breath. It may also result in chest pain or fainting. Complications can include heart failure, heart valve disease, or an irregular heartbeat.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is frequently caused by genetic factors. Studies identifying deleterious rare variants have predominantly focused on early-onset cases, and little is known about the genetic underpinnings of the growing numbers of patients with DCM who are diagnosed when they are older than 60 years (i.e., late-onset DCM).

An international team of medical scientists collaborating with Cardiologists at the University of Trieste (Trieste, Italy) investigated the prevalence, type, and prognostic impact of disease-associated rare variants in patients with late-onset DCM. A population of patients with late-onset DCM who had undergone genetic testing in seven international tertiary referral centers worldwide were enrolled from March 1990 to August 2020. A positive genotype was defined as the presence of pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants. A total of 184 patients older than 60 years were studied, that included 103 female (56%); age, 67 ± 6 years; left ventricular ejection fraction, 32% ± 10%.

The investigators reported that the most common variants in this cohort were a Titin-truncating variant (TTNtvs), which affected 46 patients, or 69% of those with a genetic diagnosis. TTNtvs appeared nearly twice as common among this late-onset dilated cardiomyopathy cohort as has been reported among younger-onset dilated cardiomyopathy cohorts. The remaining 20 cases had other P/LP variants (motor sarcomeric genes, 8%; LMNA, 6%; FLNC, 6%; desmosomal genes, 6%, and other variants, 3%). Investigators observed patients with positive genetic testing more frequently had a family history of DCM compared to patients with negative genetic testing (76% versus 59%). During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 42 (10-115) months, 23 patients (13%) died; 17 (25%) of these were carriers of P/LP variants, while six patients (5.1%) were genotype-negative.

The authors concluded that late-onset DCM might represent a distinct subgroup characterized by and a high genetic variation burden, largely due to titin-truncating variants. Patients with a positive genetic test had higher mortality than genotype-negative patients. These findings support the extended use of genetic testing also in older patients. The study was published on February 9, 2022 in the journal JAMA Cardiology.

Related Links:
University of Trieste 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.