Right ventricular involvement in Fabry disease.

The aim of the study was to describe right ventricular (RV) structural and functional changes in Fabry disease (FD). A detailed echocardiographic examination was performed in 58 patients with proven FD (mean age 40 +/- 16 years, 24 men). RV hypertrophy (RVH) was present in 40% of affected subjects with similar prevalence in both genders. Approximately two thirds of patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) also exhibited RVH. RV dilatation was not present in any subject. RV systolic dysfunction was noted in only 1 female subject. RV diastolic dysfunction was present in 47% of 45 subjects in whom RV filling was assessed. RV diastolic dysfunction was associated with the presence of RVH. A significant correlation between RV wall thickness and age (r = 0.52, P < .001) and left ventricular mass index (r = 0.70, P < .001) was noted. RVH with normal chamber size and preserved systolic but impaired diastolic function represents a typical RV structural change in FD. Its prevalence and degree are related to the prevalence and degree of LVH and the age of the patient.