Persistent myocardial atrophy despite LV reverse remodeling in Duchenne cardiomyopathy treated by LVAD.

DCM is the leading cause of death in Duchenne patients. LVADs are considered as therapeutic options as DT in advanced HF. The aim of our study was to evaluate LV remodeling of Duchenne after LVADs and chronic therapy. Demographic and echocardiographic data of 8 Duchenne patients implanted with LVADs were reviewed and analyzed. All measures were collected before LVAD implantation, after 1 month and 1 year. All patients were affected by end‐stage DCM, and mean age at implantation was 16.9 ± 2.9 years. Patients were treated with maximal medical therapy. One‐year post‐implantation HR decreased from a mean of 110 ± 19 bpm to 82 ± 2 bpm (P =.002), and a significant decrease in LV volumes and diameters LVEDD P =.03, LVESD P =.02, EDV P =.01, and ESV P =.02) was noticed together with a significant increase in EF (P =.0036). However, RWT did not change over time, showing an eccentric remodeling pattern pre‐ and post‐LVADs. Our data showed that cardiac atrophy is persistent in Duchenne cardiomyopathy despite the improvement of LV function secondary to a significant ventricular unloading due to LVADs coupled with chronic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]