Two case studies of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Friedreich's ataxia.

Background: Friedreich's ataxia is the most common hereditary ataxia and its clinical spectrum includes cardiac disease, mainly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods: We present two cases with molecular diagnosis of Friedreich's ataxia and cardiac disease shown on electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. Results: Neurological symptoms which lead to the diagnosis are described together with cardiac comorbidities. Conclusions: The cases here described highlight the importance of early screening and identification of systemic complications, specifically cardiac disease, in patients with this neurological disease.