Basal septal T1 mapping and extracellular volume as discriminators in cardiac magnetic resonance evaluation of myocardial involvement in advanced Anderson-Fabry disease: a case description.
Basal septal T1 mapping and extracellular volume as discriminators in cardiac magnetic resonance evaluation of myocardial involvement in advanced Anderson-Fabry disease: a case description.
Project description:Anderson-Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder leading to a wide array of clinical manifestations. Among these, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea affect about half of the FD adults and more than half of FD children. GI symptoms could be the first manifestation of FD; however, being non-specific, they overlap with the clinical picture of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. This common overlap is the main reason why FD patients are often unrecognized and diagnosis is delayed for many years. The present narrative review is aimed to promote awareness of the GI manifestations of FD amongst general practitioners and specialists and highlight the latest findings of this rare condition including diagnostic tools and therapies. Finally, we will discuss some preliminary data on a patient presenting with GI symptoms who turned to be affected by a variant of uncertain significance of alpha-galactosidase (GLA) gene.
Project description:ObjectivesCardiac involvement in Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) results in myocardial lipid depositions. An early diagnosis can maximize therapeutic benefit. Thus, this study aims to investigate the potential of cardiac MRI (CMR) based parameters of left atrial (LA) function and strain to detect early stages of AFD.MethodsPatients (n = 58, age 40 (29-51) years, 31 female) with genetically proven AFD had undergone CMR including left ventricular (LV) volumetry, mass index (LVMi), T1, and late gadolinium enhancement, complemented by LA and LV strain measurements and atrial emptying fractions. Patients were stratified into three disease phases and compared to age and sex-matched healthy controls (HC, n = 58, age 41 [26-56] years, 31 female).ResultsA total of 19 early-, 20 intermediate-, and 19 advanced-phase patients were included. LV and LA reservoir strain was significantly impaired in all AFD phases, including early disease (both p < 0.001). In contrast, LA volumetry, T1, and LVMi showed no significant differences between the early phase and HC (p > 0.05). In the intermediate phase, LVMi and T1 demonstrated significant differences. In advanced phase, all parameters except active emptying fractions differed significantly from HC. ROC curve analyses of early disease phases revealed superior diagnostic confidence for the LA reservoir strain (AUC 0.88, sensitivity 89%, specificity 75%) over the LV strain (AUC 0.82).ConclusionsLA reservoir strain showed impairment in early AFD and significantly correlated with disease severity. The novel approach performed better in identifying early disease than the established approach using LVMi and T1. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether these results justify earlier initiation of therapy and help minimize cardiac complications.Key points• Parameters of left atrial function and deformation showed impairments in the early stages of Anderson-Fabry disease and correlated significantly with the severity of Anderson-Fabry disease. • Left atrial reservoir strain performed superior to ventricular strain in detecting early myocardial involvement in Anderson-Fabry disease and improved diagnostic accuracies of approaches already using ventricular strain. • Further studies are needed to evaluate whether earlier initiation of enzyme replacement therapy based on these results can help minimize cardiac complications from Anderson-Fabry disease.
Project description:AimsAnderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is characterized by progressive multiorgan accumulation of intracellular sphingolipids due to α-galactosidase A enzyme deficiency, resulting in progressive ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, arrhythmias, and death. Decreased native (non-contrast) left ventricular (LV) T1 (longitudinal relaxation time) with MRI discriminates AFD from healthy controls or other presentations of concentric hypertrophy, but the right ventricle (RV) has not been studied. The aims of the current study were to evaluate native RV T1 values in AFD, with a goal of better understanding the pathophysiology of RV involvement.Methods and resultsNative T1 values were measured in the inferior RV wall (RVI), interventricular septum (IVS), and inferior LV (LVI) in patients with AFD, patients with pulmonary hypertension, who provided an alternative RV pathological process for comparison, and healthy controls. A minimum wall thickness of 4 mm was selected to minimize partial volume errors in tissue T1 analysis. T1 analysis was performed in 6 subjects with AFD, 6 subjects with PH, and 21 controls. Native T1 values were shorter (adjusted p<0.05 for all comparisons), independent of location, in subjects with AFD (RVI-T1 = 1096±49 ms, IVS-T1 = 1053±41 ms, LVI-T1 = 1072±44 ms) compared to both PH (RVI-T1 = 1239±41 ms, IVS-T1 = 1280±123 ms, LVI-T1 = 1274±57 ms) and HC (IVS-T1 = 1180±60 ms, LVI-T1 = 1183±45 ms). RVI measurements were not possible in controls due to insufficient wall thickness.ConclusionNative T1 values appear similarly reduced in the left and right ventricles of individuals with AFD and RV wall thickening, suggesting a common pathology. In contrast, individuals with PH and thickened RVs showed increased native T1 values in both ventricles, suggestive of fibrosis.
Project description:Fabry disease (FD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder resulting in myocardial sphingolipid accumulation which is detectable by cardiovascular magnetic resonance as low native T1. However, myocardial T1 contains signal from intramyocardial blood which affects variability and consequently measurement precision and accuracy. Correction of myocardial T1 by blood T1 increases precision. We therefore deployed a multicenter study of FD patients (n = 218) and healthy controls (n = 117) to investigate if blood-correction of myocardial native T1 increases the number of FD patients with low T1, and thus reclassifies FD patients as having cardiac involvement. Cardiac involvement was defined as a native T1 value 2 standard deviations below site-specific means in healthy controls for both corrected and uncorrected measures. Overall low T1 was 135/218 (62%) uncorrected vs. 145/218 (67%) corrected (p = 0.02). With blood-correction, 13/83 previously normal patients were reclassified to low T1. This reclassification appears clinically relevant as 6/13 (46%) of reclassified had focal late gadolinium enhancement or left ventricular hypertrophy as signs of cardiac involvement. Blood-correction of myocardial native T1 increases the proportion of FD subjects with low myocardial T1, with blood-corrected results tracking other markers of cardiac involvement. Blood-correction may potentially offer earlier detection and therapy initiation, but merits further prospective studies.
Project description:This study aimed to evaluate audiological and vestibular involvement in Fabry disease and the effects of enzyme replacement therapy with human alpha-galactosidase A. The study population comprised 20 patients (11 males, 9 females) aged 15-69 years (mean 39.7). Patients underwent a complete clinical and instrumental evaluation before starting and during enzyme replacement therapy. Median follow-up was 51.5 months (range 25-73). Nine patients (45%) complained of hearing symptoms (hearing loss, tinnitus); for six of them the onset and/or progression of the hearing loss were sudden. Vertigo or dizziness was reported by 6 patients (30%). Audiological evaluation showed a sensorineural hearing loss in 18 ears (45%; 10 in male patients, 8 in females). The hearing thresholds for 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz frequencies ranged from 10 to 65 dB HL. Hearing loss was unilateral in 8 cases (40%; 4 in male patients, 4 in females). Also high frequency hearing loss for 4 and 8 kHz was evaluated. No signs of retro-cochlear lesions were observed by means of otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response. Vestibular examinations showed a functional impairment in 7 ears (17.5%, all male patients). During enzyme replacement therapy the auditory function showed some degrees of worsening but no significant changes were observed at statistical analysis. In conclusion involvement of the inner ear is common in men and women with Fabry disease. In this study, a high incidence of cochlear hearing loss was found, which was typically unilateral and showed onset and/or progression by sudden episodes. Vascular or hydropic mechanisms could be hypothesized to explain audiological findings. Vestibular involvement showed a lower incidence and different pattern, thus suggesting that several patho-physiological mechanisms could play a role in determining inner ear damage in Fabry disease. Results obtained show that enzyme replacement therapy may stabilize hearing function; however, further studies on the physiopathology of the inner ear damage are needed.
Project description:Anderson-Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene that result in deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. The worldwide incidence of Fabry's disease is reported to be in the range of 1 in 40,000-117,000, although this value may be a significant underestimate given under recognition of symptoms and delayed or missed diagnosis. Deficiency in alpha-galactosidase A causes an accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids such as globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in lysosomes within various tissues including the vascular endothelium, kidneys, heart, eyes, skin and nervous system. Gb3 accumulation induces pathology via the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth-promoting factors and by oxidative stress, resulting in myocardial extracellular matrix remodelling, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), vascular dysfunction and interstitial fibrosis. Cardiac involvement manifesting as ventricular hypertrophy, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, valvular abnormalities and conduction tissue disease is common in AFD and is associated with considerable cardiovascular morbidity and mortality from heart failure, sudden cardiac death and stroke-related death.
Project description:BackgroundTo date, only limited data are available on right atrium (RA) morphofunctional remodeling in Fabry disease (FD).PurposeWe aimed to investigate RA structural and functional remodeling in patients with FD vs. healthy controls using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and to explore whether any differences exist in FD patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).MethodsWe prospectively enrolled patients with FD and controls matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with FD were divided in two groups according to the presence/absence of LVH (LVH+: left ventricular wall thickness >12 mm). All patients underwent standard echocardiography and STE analysis investigating the mechanics of all cardiac chambers, including RA reservoir, contractile and conduit strain.ResultsA total of 64 patients with FD (50% males; mean age 50 ± 17 years; 51.5% LVH+) and 64 control patients were included in the study. Focusing on right chambers, RA and right ventricular (RV) dimensions were similar between FD and controls. No differences were found for tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (p = 0.073) and RV fractional area change (p = 0.461), while RV systolic Tissue Doppler velocity was reduced in patients with FD (p = 0.041). STE analysis revealed impaired strain values for all cardiac chambers in FD vs controls, specifically: left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS, p < 0.001), left atrial (LA) reservoir strain (p = 0.001), conduit strain (p = 0.012), and contractile strain (p < 0.001), RV-GLS and RV free wall strain (p < 0.001). Similarly, all RA strain phases were significantly reduced in patients with FD compared with control patients (RA reservoir 27.4 ± 11.1 vs. 41.9 ± 8.3%, p < 0.001; RA contractile 9.9 ± 5.1 vs. 18.0 ± 4.9%, p < 0.001; RA conduit 19.1 ± 8.1 vs. 24.1 ± 8.1%, p = 0.001). When comparing FD patients without LVH to controls, it was found that RA reservoir and contractile strains were significantly reduced in the former (p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression analyses, LA reservoir strain (p = 0.010) and LV-GLS (p = 0.044) emerged as independent correlates of RA mechanics after adjustments were made for RA dimensions, RV systolic function parameters and hypertrophy, and LV maximal wall thickness.ConclusionsIn FD impaired RA strain is a common finding. RA reservoir and contractile strains are reduced in FD patients even before LVH ensues, as compared to controls. LA reservoir strain and LV-GLS show an independent correlation with RA reservoir strain.
Project description:In both classic and late-onset AFD, mutations of the GLA gene cause deficient activity of the alpha-galactosidase enzyme resulting in intracellular accumulation of the undigested substrate. Gastrointestinal symptoms (GI) are common but non-specific and imputed to the AFD, irrespective of the demonstration of substrate accumulation in GI cells. We demonstrate substrate accumulation in gastric epithelial, vascular, and nerve cells of patients with classic AFD and, vice versa, absence of accumulation in late-onset AFD and controls.
Project description:The Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD, or simply Fabry Disease, FD; MIM #301500) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder (Xq22.1) characterized by progressive renal failure, leading to morbidity through cardio- and cerebro-vascular involvement. Despite the classic phenotype, only cardiac involvement (cardiac variant of AFD; MIM 301500) is frequent in about 40% of male and 28% of female AFD patients, as reported by the Fabry Registry ( https://www.registrynxt.com ). Morphologically, the cardiac characteristic of the disease, occurs as left ventricular hypertrophy, is accompanied by myocardial fibrosis. Cardiologists may come across these patients during clinical and instrumental evaluation in individuals with non-specific symptoms such as chest pain and arrhythmias, or after instrumental evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM; MIM 192600). A comprehensive cardiological work-up, including a cardiological visit, a baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) and imaging by both echocardiography (ECHO) and magnetic resonance (MRI) enables identification of the cardiac involvement in patients with a proven diagnosis of AFD. The heart involvement is present in up to 75% of AFD patients irrespective of their sex. Involvement includes ECG and echocardiography features which suggest AFD and not HCM. Cardiac imaging plays an important role in detecting this sub-type of cardiomyopathy, which, since 2001, has benefited from the introduction of the enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in symptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients.
Project description:ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of prodromal clinical features of neurodegeneration in patients with Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) in comparison to age-matched controls.MethodsThis is a single-center, prospective, cross-sectional study in 167 participants (60 heterozygous females and 50 hemizygous males with genetically confirmed AFD, 57 age-matched controls) using a clinical screening program consisting of structured interview, quantitative tests of motor function, and assessments of cognition, depression, olfaction, orthostatic intolerance, pain, REM sleep behavior disorder, and daytime sleepiness.ResultsIn comparison to age-matched controls (mean age 48.3 years), patients with AFD (mean age 49.0 years) showed slower gait and transfer speed, poorer fine manual dexterity, and lower hand speed, which was independent of focal symptoms due to cerebrovascular disease. Patients with AFD were more severely affected by depression, pain, and daytime sleepiness and had a lower quality of life. These motor and nonmotor manifestations significantly correlated with clinical disease severity. However, patients with AFD did not reveal extrapyramidal motor features or signs of significant cognitive impairment, hyposmia, orthostatic intolerance, or REM sleep behavior disorder, which commonly precede later neurodegenerative disease. In our cohort, there were no differences in neurologic manifestations of AFD between heterozygous females and hemizygous males.ConclusionsAside from cerebrovascular manifestations and small fiber neuropathy, AFD results in a distinct neurologic phenotype comprising poorer motor performance and specific nonmotor features. In contrast to functional loss of glucocerebrosidase in Gaucher disease, α-galactosidase deficiency in AFD is not associated with a typical cluster of clinical features prodromal for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson disease.