Table 2 Criteria used for critical selection of papers retrieved from our search

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of SMA types 1–4^a or SMA mouse model; presence of cardiac abnormalities; original study with identifiable case(s).

Exclusion criteria

No diagnosis of SMA or substantial doubts about diagnosis; diagnosis of non 5q-SMA (e.g.: SMARD, distal SMA); no cardiac pathology present; SMA with additional chromosomal abnormalities associated with (congenital) heart disease (e.g. trisomy 21); cardiac abnormalities due to medication or in moribund patients (e.g. bradycardia); redundant publication of previously reported case(s); congress reports; mouse model of non 5q-SMA (e.g. IGHMBP2 model); animal research other than mouse models; only abstract available with unidentifiable cases.