Precision Medicine for Dilated Cardiomyopathy in European and African Ancestry

The purpose of this study is to identify gene changes that cause DCM and gene differences that influence the development and severity of DCM. These genetic studies may identify a change in a gene that has already been linked with DCM, a change in a gene not previously associated with DCM, or these studies may identify a gene or genes that affect the development and severity of the DCM. With this knowledge we hope to have a better understanding of how genes and gene changes cause DCM. For this study, we aim to enroll a diverse group of individuals from European, African, and Hispanic/Latino ancestry. We are collaborating with Dr. Ray Hershberger at The Ohio State University in a family-based study to accomplish these goals. With Site PI, we are working collaboratively to perform research in the genetics of DCM. For this collaborative study we are collecting DNA, blood and clinical information from approximately 8,000 people who have DCM or who are related to or married to someone with DCM.