Work

Ethical Considerations Regarding Advanced Heart Failure Therapies in Patients Affected by Dystrophinopathies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Dystrophinopathies, including Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD and BMD), are inherited neuromuscular disorders frequently complicated by progressive cardiac involvement, ultimately leading to advanced heart failure. While heart transplantation and long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy represent potential therapeutic options, their application in this population raises significant ethical challenges. This review explores the ethical implications surrounding the allocation of scarce medical resources, particularly in patients with limited life expectancy and multisystem disease, as in DMD. Decisions regarding eligibility for heart transplantation must balance individual benefit, considering the impact of excluding other potential recipients. LVAD therapy, although more accessible, still demands careful patient selection due to high perioperative risk and postoperative complications. The review emphasizes the need for transparent, multidisciplinary decision-making processes that respect patient autonomy while ensuring equitable and rational distribution of healthcare resources. Ultimately, while advanced therapies may be feasible in selected cases, particularly in BMD, ethical deliberation remains central to determining their appropriateness in the context of dystrophinopathies.

Source: Cardiogenetics

DOI: 10.3390/cardiogenetics15030026