Cardiomyopathy in Muscular Dystrophies

The muscular dystrophies are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in clinical medicine. A close collaboration between neurologist and cardiologist extends not only the understanding of this patient group, it also helps to improve the therapy of arrhythmias and the early diagnosis of cardiomyopathies. Muscular dystrophies are discussed in the ESC and DGK guidelines for device therapy. The clinical decision-making in this group is often difficult. Muscular dystrophies often affect young patients and an early diagnosis can help to influence the development of heart failure. Most of the patients show an increase of creatine kinase and/or troponin. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is able to detect myocardial injury such as focal fibrosis already in preserved left ventricle function. That may help to improve the interpretation of borderline ECG- and echocardiographic findings.