Friedreich's ataxia

(Nikolaus Friedreich, 1825 - 1882, German physician) hereditary spinocerebellar degenerative disease with cardiac manifestations. Several forms exist. There is a high incidence of cardiac involvement. Severe ataxia precedes clinically evident cardiac involvement. Cardiac involvement is characterized by hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathies. The most frequent echocardiographic finding is symmetric left ventricular hypertrophy and less often asymmetric hypertrophy.

CBH