Cardiac transplantation in muscular dystrophies: A case series

Abstract

Muscular dystrophies can involve cardiac complications, including dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and conduction system disorders. In cases of terminal heart failure, cardiac transplantation may be considered a viable option; however, its feasibility in this population has been questioned for many years. This case series describes the preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes of five patients with muscular dystrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent cardiac transplantation at a tertiary care center in Latin America between 2018 and 2024. All patients were male, with a mean age of 38.4 ± 11.5 years at transplantation. Genetic variants were confirmed in all cases. Although two patients experienced postoperative respiratory and swallowing complications, survival was 100 %, with a median follow-up of 16 months and good functional capacity. Cardiac transplantation is a valid option for patients with muscular dystrophies and dilated cardiomyopathy, emphasizing the importance of functional evaluation and a multidisciplinary approach to optimize outcomes.