Genetic cardiomyopathies

Jane E. Wilcox*, Ray E. Hershberger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of review To describe recent advancements in cardiovascular genetics made possible by leveraging next-generation sequencing (NGS), and to provide a framework for practical applications of genetic testing for hypertrophic (HCM), dilated (DCM), and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathies (ARVC). Recent findings The availability of NGS has made possible extensive reference databases. These, combined with recent initiatives to compile previously siloed commercial and research cardiomyopathy data sets, provide a more powerful and precise approach to cardiovascular genetic medicine. HCM, DCM and ARVC are cardiomyopathies usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Over 1000 pathogenic mutations have been identified: HCM in genes encoding proteins of the sarcomere, and ARVC in genes encoding proteins of the desosome. DCM shows considerably more diverse ontology, suggesting more complex pathophysiology. In addition to allelic and locus heterogeneity, reduced penetrance and variable expressivity among affected individuals can make the clinical diagnosis of 'familial cardiomyopathy' less apparent. Summary Current evidence supports the use of genetic testing in clinical practice to improve risk stratification for clinically affected patients and their at-risk relatives for hypertrophic, arrhythmogenic, and dilated cardiomyopathies. Understanding how to implement genetic testing and to evaluate at-risk family members, provide clinical implications of results as well as discuss limitations of genetic testing is essential to improving personalized care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)354-362
Number of pages9
JournalCurrent opinion in cardiology
Volume33
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2018

Funding

This publication was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01HL128857 (R.H.) and the Department of Internal Medicine and the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern University (J.W.).

Keywords

  • cardiomyopathy
  • genetics
  • next-generation sequencing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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