Cardiac transplantation in Friedreich ataxia: Extended follow-up

Ashley McCormick, Julianna Shinnick, Kim Schadt, Rose Rodriguez, Linda Addonizio, Michio Hirano, Susan Perlman, Kimberly Y. Lin, David R Lynch, Journal of the Neurological Sciences, Available online 10 January 2017, ISSN 0022-510X, doi:10.1016/j.jns.2017.01.027.

Observations emphasize that the rate and nature of progression to end stage heart failure in ndividuals with FRDA is highly variable and, at least in these unusual individuals, not easily predicted by their neurologic status or GAA triplet repeat length. Our case series demonstrates the safety and efficacy of heart transplantations as a possible treatment option for end-stage heart failure in the setting of neurologic disease in both early-and late-onset individuals.
Diagnosis of FRDA should not be viewed as an absolute contraindication that would negatively impact a patient’s candidacy for heart transplantation or re-transplantation.


Cardiac transplantation in Friedreich ataxia: Extended follow-up