According to a new study, the drug perindopril used in early treatment of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) may delay the onset and progress of left ventricle dysfunction.
DMD is one of the more common forms of muscular dystrophies that are characterized by muscle enlargement and rapid degeneration of muscles in early life. This disease is linked with the X-chromosomes and thus affects male population. Mostly incurable, this disease causes congenital heart problems in boys. It is estimated that 1 in 3000 to 3500 boys suffer from the disease of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.The study, which was aimed to examine the effects of perindopril on cardiac functions in patients with DMD, is published in the current issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Researchers for the study feels that the drug will bring hope to many suffering from this disease as now it is possible to slow the onset and progress of the dreaded DMD. They are also hopeful, that looking at the effects of the drug, more research will be able to link it positively to other congenital heart problems that the children suffer from.
Reference:
http://www.cardiosource.com/journalsbooks/journals/journal/article/
