Cardiac abnormalities in Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism

J Clin Neurosci. 2018 Jul:53:1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.04.031. Epub 2018 Apr 26.

Abstract

Objectives: Though there is increasing evidence for primary cardiac disease in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Parkinsonism (PS), this evidence is hardly included in the general management of these patients.

Methods: Literature review.

Results: PD is one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Epidemiological studies have shown that PD is accompanied by high rates of premature death compared with the general population. In general, death in PD/PS is usually caused by determinant factors such as pneumonia, cerebrovascular, and cardiovascular disease. There is a significant body of literature demonstrating involvement of the heart in PD/PS. Cardiac involvement in PD/PS includes cardiac autonomic dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, conduction defects, and sudden cardiac death (SCD), and sudden unexpected death in Parkinson's disease (SUDPAR).

Conclusions: Cardiac abnormalities found in PD/PS are manifold but the most prominent is cardiac autonomic dysfunction. The frequency of coronary heart disease in PD is a matter of debate. Only rarely reported in PD/PS are cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, and SUDPAR. It is particularly recommended that PD/PS patients are more intensively investigated cardiologically as soon as the diagnosis is established. Early recognition of cardiac involvement is important for preventing SCD and SUDPAR.

Keywords: Arrhythmias; Autonomic dysfunction; Cardiac disease; Cardiac involvement; Cardiomyopathy; Parkinson; Sudden cardiac death.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*