Cardiac transplantation in Friedreich ataxia.

Abstract

In this article, we describe a 14-year-old boy with a confirmed diagnosis of Friedreich ataxia who underwent cardiac transplantation for left ventricular failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy with restrictive physiology. His neurological status prior to transplantation reflected early signs of neurological disease, with evidence of dysarthria, weakness, mild gait impairment, and limb ataxia. We review the ethical issues considered during the process leading to the decision to offer cardiac transplantation.

• Authors: Grace Yoon, Teesta Soman, Judith Wilson, Kristen George, Seema Mital, Anne I Dipchand, Jane McCabe, William Logan, Paul Kantor
• Journal: Journal of child neurology (J Child Neurol) Vol. 27 Issue 9 Pg. 1193-6 (Sep 2012) ISSN: 1708-8283 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22752490 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Friedreich Ataxia (complications)
• Heart Diseases (etiology, surgery)
• Heart Transplantation (methods)
• Humans