A 25-year-old Caucasian male presents to a cardiology office for a follow-up on his echocardiogram results. His history includes increased shortness of breath with activity over the last couple of years with no attributable cause, prompting the echocardiogram after an abnormal EKG. The echocardiogram revealed dilated cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of 37%. When questioned by the physician assistant about any other symptoms, he admits that he tends to bruise easily as he considers himself "clumsy", often tripping over his own feet. He denies chest pain, numbness of his extremities or paresthesias, trouble with his vision or hearing. What associated condition is this patient most likely suffering from?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Although muscle involvement is less severe than in DMD, cardiac involvement in BMD is often more evident. In one report, for example, echocardiography revealed evidence of cardiac involvement in 60 to 70 percent of patients (mean age 18) with subclinical or benign BMD. It was suggested that, because patients with mild BMD are still able to perform strenuous exercise, the associated mechanical stress on the heart may be harmful for myocardial cells with abnormal dystrophin. Unlike Duchenne muscular dystrophy, individuals with Becker muscular dystrophy often live until mid to late adulthood. If cardiac aspects of this disease are well managed, they can often live a normal lifespan.

A 25-Year-Old Caucasian Male Presents to a Cardiology Office for a Follow-Up