Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive condition due to a GAA triplet expansion in the FXN gene that causes increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and can progress to LV systolic dysfunction. However, the changes in myocardial function that occur before a reduction in LV ejection fraction are incompletely understood.

Early Changes in Left Ventricular Long-Axis Function in Friedreich Ataxia: Relation with the FXN Gene Mutation and Cardiac Structural Change