Heart in Friedreich's ataxia.

Most articles on Friedreich's ataxia report that cardiac complications are almost universal in patients with this disease. However, the present study of 30 cases, observed for two to ten years, seems to belie the experience of other writers in the field. Only six (20 per cent) of these patients showed electrocardiographic abnormalities. Only one patient had cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure. One other patient had paroxysmal tachycardia. Seventy-four family members were also studied and the results were similar. It is suggested that this impressive difference may be a racial one and indeed very few reports on Friedreich's ataxia have come from India. Further study of this group of patients is in progress. The author also includes a review of the literature of neuromyopathic diseases and their relationship to myocardial involvement.