Dilated cardiomyopathy other diagnostic studies

About 40 genes are currently included in genetic testing; however, mutations in > 60 other genes have been linked to FCD, but are yet to be included.

• FCD is primarily an autosomal dominant disease; however, cases with autosomal recessive or X-linked inheritance have been recognized.
• Genetic studies have revealed an underlying genetic mutation in 30 to 40% of patients with FCD.^[1]
• About 40 genes are currently included in genetic testing; however, mutations in >60 other genes have been linked to FCD, but are yet to be included.
• A full list of the genes that have been associated with DCM can be found in the Pathophysiology section.
• A cohort study by Haas et al. showed that the genetic mutations in FCD overlap with other cardiomyopathies, highlighting the value of genetic testing in different types of cardiomyopathy.^[2]
• Current studies are focusing on the role of multiple mutations, enhancer region mutations, copy number variation, and intronic variants.^[3]

Endomyocardial biopsy has low sensitivy and the findings are also notoriously non-specific. The findings on biopsy usually involve findings of inflammation and specific pathogens are unlikely to be identified. There may be an increased yield to using MRI to target endomyocardial biopsy. Viral titiers (serologies) are often unhelpful and not routinely ordered in clinical practice

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