Mitochondrial DNA and Heart Disease

The relationship between abnormalities of myocardial mitochondrial DNA and heart disease is reviewed. Myocardial mitochondrial DNA abnormalities can induce both hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies. In mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, abnormalities of myocardial mitochondrial DNA can also induce cardiac involvement, for example, heart failure and arrhythmia. The influence of acquired mitochondrial DNA mutations is also discussed.