Lamin A and C proteins, encoded by the lamin A/C gene (
LMNA), are inner nuclear membrane proteins predominantly expressed in terminally differentiated cells. Mutations in
LMNA can cause various forms of cardiomyopathy with arrhythmia in an autosomal dominant manner. We collected and evaluated the clinical characteristics of unclassified familial cardiomyopathy with advanced AV block and sporadic cases with advanced AV block. Mutation in
LMNA was directly screened using the cycle sequencing method in 5 probands of the familial cardiomyopathy and 60 sporadic cases with advanced AV block. In four of the five familial cases (80%), we identified four distinct mutations: two protein-truncation mutations, R225X and 815_818delinsCCAGAC, and two missense mutations, Y259H and R166P. No sporadic cases carried
LMNA mutation. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was slightly enlarged in
LMNA mutant carriers (123.5 ± 9.5%) as well as in non-carriers (125.1 ± 13.3%), while left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) was preserved in
LMNA mutant carriers (32.3 ± 4.8%) and non-carriers (37.6 ± 6.8%). In
LMNA mutation carriers, the average age at onset of advanced AV block is significantly lower than that in non-carriers (43.7 ± 9.5 vs. 65.3 ± 13 yr.,
p < 0.01). Ventricular tachycardia, sudden death, and poor prognosis were observed in
LMNA mutation carriers.
LMNA mutation could cause familial cardiomyopathy with insignificant LV remodeling, early-age onset of advanced AV block, and lethal ventricular arrhythmia. Screening of
LMNA mutation might be beneficial for risk stratification and clinical management of this type of unclassified familial cardiomyopathy.
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