Mitochondrial diseases are a clinically heterogeneous group of disorders that arise as a result of dysfunction of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The muscles are predominantly affected, however, any organ can be affected in mitochondrial diseases. The prevalence and natural history of cardiovascular disease in adult patients with respiratory chain disease (RCD) is poorly characterized. In this article, researchers from The Heart Hospital, University College London, determined the frequency and natural history of cardiac disease in 32 adults with primary RCD. Among them, 81% had cardiac involvement. Medical follow-up (average of 4 years) showed that even if cardiac complications are common in patients with mitochondrial disease, they generally have a favourable prognosis. This study highlights the importance of diagnosing and properly managing cardiovascular complications in patients with respiratory chain disease.

Références : Prevalence and natural history of heart disease in adults with primary mitochondrial respiratory chain disease.
Eur J Heart Fail. 2010 Feb;12(2):114-21