title: Cardiac function tests in neuromuscular diseases.
abstract: Myocardial involvement is a known complication of neuromuscular diseases and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in these disorders. Identifying patients early using cardiac function tests helps understand the mechanisms underlying cardiac involvement and may help limit the progression of cardiac disease before the onset of significant symptoms and limitation. This article outlines the tests available to assess cardiac involvement associated with neuromuscular diseases and offers guidelines for management once they are discovered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1800 North Capitol, Room E406, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bhakta
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Groh
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial