Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) with Severe Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

<jats:p>Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive myopathy. The development of respiratory therapy has increased the life expectancy of DMD patients. This change has increased the chances of anesthesia administration in DMD patients with advanced cardiomyopathy. We report a severe cardiomyopathy case in a 14-year-old boy with DMD, adrenal insufficiency, and severe mental retardation, who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation. The patient underwent feeding gastrostomy surgery to relieve recurrent aspiration pneumonia, during which cardiac index and heart rate decreased. Cardiomyopathy has emerged as a new challenge in DMD patients; it is important to maintain end organ perfusion by proper function of the left ventricle.</jats:p>