Age-related creatinophosphokinase and myocardial fibrosis changes in patients with muscular dystrophy

Background Duchenne (DMD) and Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophy (MD) are characterized by progressive peripheral muscular damage. The cardiac involvement is high and often complicated by severe heart failure and high mortality. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can identify early stages of cardiomyopathy, as presence of myocardial fibrosis (MF). Several studies have shown negative correlation between creatinophosphokinase (CPK) levels and worst stages of peripheral muscular dystrophy, but have not evaluated their possible association with myocardial damage. Our objective was to investigate CPK levels and magnitude of myocardial damage in patients with MD. Methods