Familial dilated cardiomyopathy caused by a novel variant in the Lamin A/C gene: a case report

BACKGROUND: Familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM) is most commonly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The Lamin A/C (LMNA) gene variants have been identified to be associated with DCM, conductive system disorders, type 2 Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and several other disorders. Here, we reported a novel variant in the LMNA gene that might be related to FDCM. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old young man was hospitalized for chest tightness, extreme fatigue, palpitation and impaired activity tolerance. He had clinical characteristics including cardiac dilatation, atrial tachyarrhythmia, severe conductive system disorders, and dyskinesia of both upper limbs and the neck. Genetic sequence analysis indicated that the patient carried a novel c.1325 T>C heterozygous LMNA gene variant. Catheter ablation and cardiac resynchronization therapy with pacing function (CRT-P) were performed to treat the arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: The variant c.1325 T>C is a novel variant in the LMNA gene that has not been previously reported. Young patients with DCM, conductive system disorders and skeletal myopathy should be alert to the possibility of LMNA gene variant. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be a reasonable choice for patient carrying a LMNA gene variant with third-degree atrioventricular block even if the left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved in order to prevent the deterioration of cardiac function caused by right ventricular pacing dependency.