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Purpose of Review: The aim of this paper is to briefly summarise the clinical approach to disease notation for cardiomyopathies and to highlight its limitations with respect to the integration of new knowledge about aetiology. Recent Findings: The paper uses the recently advocated concept of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy as an example of the limitations of current classification systems. Summary: At present, there is no single classification system that meets the needs of all potential users, whether they are basic scientists, clinicians, patients or families. The classical cardiomyopathy subtypes still have utility, but future disease notation needs to be modified to take into account the new and more complete phenotypes and aetiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Obesity, generally defined by body mass index (BMI), is an established risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), while cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) decreases risk. In chronic CVD, an obesity survival paradox in which higher BMI is associated with improved prognosis has been reported. This paper will examine the effect of obesity on CVD risk, explore obesity as a risk factor in patients with established CVD, and investigate the relationship between CRF, obesity, and CVD. Recent Findings: Through metabolic and hemodynamic changes, obesity increases the risk for CVD and contributes to the development of other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Obesity is associated with metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory changes that leads to atherosclerosis increasing the risk for coronary artery disease, and myocardial remodeling increasing the risk for heart failure. However, it has also been observed that overweight/obese patients with established CVD have a better prognosis when compared to non-obese individuals termed the obesity paradox. CRF is a vital component of health associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes and furthermore has been shown to markedly attenuate or nullify the relationship between obesity and CVD risk/prognosis. Summary: Increasing CRF mitigates CVD risk factors and improves overall prognosis in CVD regardless of obesity status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Cardiac masses encompass a broad range of etiologies and are often initially revealed by echocardiography. The differential may change depending on the location of the mass and patients' medical history or presentation. It is important for clinicians to be aware of subtle visual characteristics on echocardiography in order to correctly diagnose the pathology. Methods: Patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and were found to have one or more cardiac masses between January 1, 2020, and May 15, 2023, were reviewed. Their demographic data, clinical presentation, medical history, imaging, and follow-up information were collected from hospital electronic medical records, de-identified, and used to complete this review paper. Summary: A detailed review of cardiac masses divided by cardiac chamber accompanied by real-world echocardiographic images from patients in a large inner city public hospital. We hope that this systematic review of cardiac masses with real-world echocardiographic images will help clinicians note subtle echocardiographic characteristics to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review paper is to examine the most recent evidence of exercise-related self-management in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Recent Findings: This paper reviews the benefits and barriers to exercise, diabetes self-management education, the role of the healthcare provider in assessment and counseling, the use of technology, and concerns for special populations with T1D. Summary: Adults with T1D may not exercise at sufficient levels. Assessing current levels of exercise, counseling during a clinical visit, and the use of technology may improve exercise in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The goal of this paper is to review currently available devices for closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) and ventricular septal defects (VSDs). Recent Findings: Favorable results from the ASSURED trial resulted in FDA approval for the most recently developed device for transcatheter ASD closure in the United States. Further studies are required to assist in the development or approval of safe devices for transcatheter perimembranous VSD closure in pediatric patients. Summary: Device closure is the less invasive and preferred management option for many ASDs, with multiple studies demonstrating lower complication rates, shorter hospital stays, and lower mortality than surgical repair. Complex ASDs that make device closure more difficult include large defects, rim deficiencies, fenestrated defects, multiple defects, and the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Device closure has also become an accepted alternative to surgery for some types of ventricular septal defects VSDs, though challenges and limitations remain. Future innovations including novel devices and techniques are needed to further expand on the types of defects that can be safely closed via transcatheter approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: This paper reviews the unique processes and treatments of post-traumatic stress in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients and posits specific clinical management recommendations. Recent Findings: PTSD is a common presenting problem for a prospective ICD patient and is a common response to ICD shocks. Approximately 32% of patients with sudden cardiac arrest report significant PTSD symptoms. Following ICD shock, approximately 20% experience PTSD from the shocks. Regardless, PTSD can interrupt and undermine clinical management from a cardiologist perspective and create significant disturbance in patients and families. Few cardiology clinics are outfitted to effectively manage psychological distress, in general, and PTSD, in particular. Summary: Effective management of PTSD patients can be achieved with both direct care in the cardiac clinic, as well as indirect care via multidisciplinary consultation and expertise. The importance of emotional validation, return to physical activity, and family engagement is emphasized in current management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Heart failure is a severe clinical syndrome with complex and unclarified mechanisms, and it poses a serious threat to human health. MicroRNA, a non-coding RNA, can directly bind to target genes and regulate their expression. The important role of microRNAs in the development of HF has become a hot topic of research in recent years. This paper summarizes and prospects the mechanisms of microRNAs in regulating cardiac remodeling during heart failure to provide reference ideas for further research and clinical treatment. Recent Findings: With extensive research, more target genes for microRNAs have been clarified. By modulating various molecules, microRNAs affect the contractile function of the myocardium and alter the process of myocardial hypertrophy, myocyte loss, and fibrosis, thereby interfering with the process of cardiac remodeling and exerting an important effect in the process of heart failure. Based on the above mechanism, microRNAs have promising applications in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. Summary: MicroRNAs form a complex post-transcriptional control mechanism of gene expression, and the increase or decrease of their content during heart failure largely alters the course of cardiac remodeling. By continuously identifying their target genes, it is expected to achieve more precise diagnosis and treatment of this important topic of heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the Review: The goal of this paper is to review the current evidence surrounding CTO PCI in patients with low EF, the most high-risk population to treat. We also present pertinent case examples and offer practical tips to increase success and lower complications when performing CTO PCI in patients with low EF. Recent Findings: In a prospective randomized control study, greater improvement in angina frequency and quality of life, assessed by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, was achieved by CTO PCI compared to optimal medical therapy. Furthermore, after successful CTO PCI, improvements in health status were similar in patients with both low and normal EF. Summary: CTO PCI can not only ameliorate symptoms of angina in patients with low EF but may also potentially improve EF in carefully selected populations. However, information regarding treatment of this high-risk population is lacking and large-scale studies targeting patients with severely reduced EF remain necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an often under-recognized cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The goal of the current paper was to review imaging modalities available for detecting cardiac amyloidosis. We wished to determine what modalities are available for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis and what modalities could be utilized in the future. Recent Findings: Early and delayed planar imaging of the chest currently plays a central role in the workup and diagnosis of CA. However, novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracers could play a large role in CA imaging in the future. There is an increasing body of literature supporting the use of targeted amyloid-binding PET radiotracers such as 11C-Pittsburgh compound B (11C-PIB), 18F-florbetapir, -flutemetamol, and -florbetaben for the detection of cardiac amyloid. Summary: While planar imaging currently plays a large role in the workup of CA, PET imaging could play an increasing important role in the future. The quantitative abilities of novel PET tracers could theoretically allow for the serial monitoring of patients and detection of response to therapy, and the sensitive nature of the tracers could allow for even earlier disease detection. Further work with large randomized controlled trial data is needed in the development and validation of PET tracers for cardiac amyloid and represents an exciting development within the realm of nuclear cardiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The goal of this paper is to highlight the multifaceted approach heart failure (HF) nurse practitioners (NPs) use to manage patients. We were seeking to answer if NPs have the scope of clinical skills to manage the complexity of HF patients. Recent Findings: NP care in HF has been shown to reduce readmissions, improve timeliness of visits, decrease cost, and improve quality outcomes in small heterogeneous studies. Summary: The evidence supports that NPs provide multifaceted, patient-centered care for at all stages on the continuum of HF. Our goals as NPs are to reduce the healthcare financial strain and improve access to high quality care. Telehealth is an emerging technology that shows promise in HF management by improving access and decreasing readmissions. Telehealth use and recognition increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should focus on NP run clinics, cost effectiveness, and quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: This paper sought to provide rationale for determining when a patient with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) might be referred for home-based versus facility-based exercise therapy. Recent Findings: Multiple randomized controlled studies have embedded supervised, structured exercise therapy as a class IA recommended therapy for those with symptomatic PAD. More recently, there is interest in non-facility-based exercise training as an alternative. The current literature is mixed on the effectiveness of non-facility-based training and is influenced by the amount of contact with clinical staff providing some supervision (e.g., occasional facility-based exercise or coaching phone calls), and the intensity (e.g., performed intermittently by inducing pain or continually and not inducing pain) and frequency (e.g., 12-week common supervised exercise program or those longer than 24 weeks) of exercise. Certainly, the data suggests non-facility-based exercise, while possibly improving walking performance, is inferior to facility-based supervised exercise training. Comprehensive data is lacking on utilization of supervised exercise therapy in those with symptomatic PAD, but is likely <2% of those eligible who participate. This suggests a possible important role for alternatives including non-facility-based (e.g., home, fitness center). Summary: Exercise training in the supervised, facility-based setting appears to be greatly underutilized. Non-facility-based exercise may help to overcome some of the most common barriers to participating in facility-based exercise including those related to motivation, transportation, and proximity. However, facility-based training is considered the gold standard so decisions about allowing a patient to exercise train at home must take into account issues including disease severity, patient motivation and available exercise resources, mobility and balance, cognitive function, and other medical concerns (e.g., symptomatic coronary artery disease or heart failure). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, are known to be associated with pericardial diseases. The aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge of the pericardial manifestations of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Recent Findings: Many reports have described associations between dysthyroidism, which encompasses hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and several pericardial diseases, including acute pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and tamponade. The diagnosis of dysthyroidism-induced pericardial diseases consists of a combination of thyroid blood levels that fall outside of the normal range and the exclusion of other causes. Treatment of the thyroid disorder is key, along with treatment of the pericardial disease as recommended by the guidelines. Summary: Early recognition of the thyroid disorder is key in patients with pericardial diseases, since treating the underlying cause should assist resolution of the pericardial issues and ideally prevent recurrence and possible future complications of suboptimally treated pericarditis or pericardial effusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been previously linked to left circulation thromboembolism and stroke. This review article aims to discuss the latest evidence, updated societal guidelines, diagnostic algorithms and novel therapeutic devices for PFO closure., Recent Findings: PFO closure for cryptogenic stroke and systemic embolization is supported by a large body of evidence and has a strong societal recommendation. Limited data are available for platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, although closure appears to be beneficial. Current data do not support routine closure for migraines and decompression Illness. Development of heart-brain teams can improve identification of patients most likely to benefit from closure, utilizing a combination of imaging test and risk score algorithms. Multiple novel devices aiming at reducing complications and improving the long-term impact of current available devices are being evaluated. PFO closure has significantly progressed over the last years, with new data supporting its superiority in reducing risk of recurrent embolic stroke in patients with PFO-related stroke. Additional clinical data are required to provide further refinements on patient selection and guidance on treatment of specific subgroups., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose of Review: There is a paucity of data regarding the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to left main (LM) culprit vessel. Recent Findings: LM culprit STEMI (LMCSTEMI) is an uncommon, but frequently catastrophic event. Prior meta-analyses and registries have described a varying prevalence of LMCSTEMI, associated cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality among those surviving to hospital presentation. These observed clinical discrepancies may be partially attributable to diverse clinical and angiographical subsets among this STEMI population. Summary: STEMI due to LM culprit artery disease represents a clinically high-risk subset of patients with substantial in-hospital mortality. In this paper, we summarize the available clinical data pertaining to STEMI with LM culprit, discuss unique ECG characteristics, and discuss contemporary revascularization therapy. We also report the preliminary findings from a contemporary, STEMI database describing clinical characteristics and angiographically defined subsets of LM culprit STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The worldwide pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease transformed healthcare in many ways. The impact of the pandemic was also noted in outpatient settings with various clinics adopting telehealth as the new normal. The goal of this paper is to investigate how the pandemic impacted the outpatient cardiology setting, specifically regarding the use of telehealth, and can the lessons learned from the adoption of telehealth in the backdrop of COVID-19 be applied to facilitate the wider and routine use of telemedicine in the outpatient cardiology clinic. Recent Findings: Several studies have been conducted showcasing COVID-19's impact on the telehealth field of cardiology. Studies showed advantages for patients. Among these advantages are reduction in wait and travel time, easier medication reconciliation, and convenience. They also showed a general comfortability with the transition to telehealth among cardiologists. Furthermore, the adoption of telehealth in the outpatient cardiology setting, specifically with respect to the management of common cardiac conditions of congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic heart disease, revealed the potential of telemedicine to be used to adequately address these conditions. The transition to telehealth was not without its challenges, such as lack of a physical exam, barriers with certain patient populations to adopting the technology, and changes were noted in frequencies of medication ordering and cardiology-specific laboratory and diagnostic imaging. Summary: This transition to telehealth during the pandemic allowed for various studies to be conducted on how telehealth impacted the field of cardiology in the outpatient setting. While patient and practitioner advantages were revealed when compared to traditional outpatient cardiology visits, barriers to the adoption of the technology among specific patient populations were noted as were changes in practice among cardiologists. The use of telemedicine to adequately address common cardiac conditions was also shown. Further investigation into understanding the barriers of specific patient populations and overcoming these barriers, understanding the reason for the changes in practice of cardiologists with the use telemedicine, and investigating the use and incorporation of existing technology such as smart watches and patient portals or apps to make the transition to telehealth not only simpler, but to also optimize the cardiologist management of common cardiac conditions, have the potential to lead to the wider and routine use of telemedicine in the outpatient cardiology clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is rare, yet it is a common cause of stroke in young and middle-aged adults. Historically, some senior clinicians favored anticoagulation in the prevention of stroke due to CAD. Choosing the optimal antithrombotic treatment with either antiplatelet (AP) or anticoagulant (AC) medications remains a challenge. This paper will review the clinical features and imaging of CAD, and the acute treatment and prevention of stroke due to CAD. Recent Findings: Until 2015, there were no prospective randomized trials in the optimal antithrombotic management of CAD. The Cervical Artery Dissection in Stroke Study (CADISS) trial found that treatment with AC did not lower the risk of subsequent stroke or death at 3 months when compared to AP agents. This led to a paradigm shift in national guidelines. In 2021, The Biomarkers and Antithrombotic Treatment in of Cervical Artery Dissection (TREAT-CAD) trial however did not confirm the non-inferiority of AP therapy in stroke prevention due to CAD. Summary: The optimal antithrombotic management for stroke prevention in CAD remains uncertain, while the superiority of anticoagulation has not been established, nor has the non-inferiority of AP agents. The future direction of research should consider early preventative treatment, dual treatment with AP agents, direct oral AC medications, and aggregation of data from existing randomized trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) referral is a Class I post-myocardial infarction (MI) recommendation from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, yet referral rates remain strikingly low, with cardiologists some of the worst under-referring offenders. This paper seeks to review the evolution of CR and its well-established benefits, as well as reasons behind the poor referral and utilization. Recent Findings: CR is a secondary prevention program for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that was first initiated in the 1970s as a hospital-based exercise program after an acute MI, but then evolved into a comprehensive multi-disciplinary program for patients with a wider range of cardiovascular diseases. CR mortality and morbidity benefits have endured over decades, even as interventional and pharmacological cardiovascular therapeutics have improved and as patients have become relatively more stable. Summary: Despite being an evidence-based clinical standard, referral and participation in CR are disconcertingly low. In efforts to combat poor referral rates, and improve care in the contemporary care environment, the approach to CR is evolving. Innovations include broadening CR beyond the hospital setting into remote- and hybrid-based formats, while still incorporating exercise training, risk factor reduction, and education, as well as behavioral and psychosocial support. Nonetheless, there still remain many challenges to overcome in order to increase participation of all ages, financials, races, and sexes. With new performance measures as well as an increasing number of NIH-funded studies on the horizon, there is hope that CR will become a relatively more valued and utilized component of cardiovascular preventative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Myocarditis is a polymorphic disease, both in its presentation and clinical course. Recent data suggests that the genetic background, interacting with environmental factors, could be diriment both in the susceptibility and evolution of myocarditis in different clinical presentations. The aim of this paper is to expose the current available evidences and the evolving concepts on this topic, in order to provide insight for improving the clinical management of those patients. In this regard, the main goal is an optimal characterization of each patient's risk, with the purpose of individualizing the treatment and the follow-up. Recent Findings: The latest research highlights the possible prognostic role of some pathogenic mutations that could create a vulnerable myocardium prone to myocardial inflammation and also to the development of a long-lasting cardiomyopathy. Summary: The identification of these genetic defects and of myocarditis patients requiring genetic testing is emerging as a challenge for the future. In fact, identifying a possible genetic background responsible for a particularly high-risk profile could be of extreme importance in improving management of myocarditis. This and many other aspects in the genetics of myocarditis remain uncovered, and further studies are expected based to refine our daily clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Aim of the paper was to address all strengths and weakness of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, trying to highlight areas where further research and investigations should be carried out to fill current gaps in scientific knowledge. Recent Findings: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy represents a multifaceted clinical entity associated with arrhythmias and sudden death. Even though different diagnostic tools are available for appropriate identification and risk stratification, over the last few years cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has surfaced as an unmatched non-invasive imaging tool. Summary: CMR is mandatory in the evaluation of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. It is the only imaging technique providing the identification of myocardial fibrosis, particularly for left ventricular myocardium, as recent evidences demonstrated that left ventricular involvement in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is associated with greater risk of sudden death than lone right ventricular involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) account for 70% of the patients with ACS. Most NSTE-ACS patients receive invasive therapies. Despite improvements in the systems of care and interventional techniques, the mortality of NSTE-ACS patients remains high, and delays in the treatment of NSTE-ACS patients continue to be a problem. This paper aims to discuss the importance of timeliness of invasive strategy in the treatment of NSTE-ACS as well as the state-of-the-art approach to this critical health problem. Recent Findings: The relatively recent guidelines and meta-analyses on the subject try to shed light on the issue of timing. The picture is now a little clearer, but still much remains to be answered. Summary: We know that the early invasive strategy at least is safe and improves recurrent ischemia and refractory angina as well as the length of stay, lowering the cost. In higher-risk patients, there is a benefit for a more aggressive approach. The definition of "early" in the early invasive strategy has evolved over the past decade and currently pertains to an invasive strategy performed within 12–24 h of presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has a high prevalence in western countries. Many papers have been published with the purpose of demonstrating that OSAS acts as an arrhythmia trigger and is responsible for an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to review our knowledge on this topic. Recent Findings: There is a lot of evidence demonstrating the relationship between OSAS and arrhythmias, but there remains a lack of an interventional randomized trial to demonstrate that by treating OSAS we can reduce arrhythmia burden. Summary: OSAS is a highly prevalent illness in western countries and is clearly related to an increase in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Cardiac arrhythmias are triggered by a repetitive hypoxemia, hypercapnia, acidosis, intrathoracic pressure fluctuations, reoxygenation, and arousals during apnea and hypopnea episodes. Early diagnosis and treatment of these patients can reduce further cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The high global incidence of heart disease drives the need for methods of mending damaged hearts. Direct reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts into cardiomyocyte-like cells (called iCMs) has been successful in the creation of new muscle cells, in the repair of hearts post-myocardial injury, and therefore has great promise for the clinic. The purpose of this paper is to review and highlight the approaches for and underlying molecular mechanisms of direct cardiac reprogramming. Recent Findings: Single-cell genomics and mechanistic studies have elucidated the stepwise transition of fibroblasts to iCMs as well as the molecular roadblocks that hinder reprogramming. Summary: Cardiac fibroblasts are able to be directly reprogrammed, in vitro and in vivo, into induced cardiomyocyte-like cells by the ectopic expression of a combination of transcription factors, microRNAs or small molecules. Recent works have illustrated methods that improve the efficiency of iCM generation and delivery of reprogramming cocktails as well as have revealed the molecular networks governing the reprogramming process. Current studies have also begun to identify and address the additional hurdles in human iCM reprogramming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are two important categories of AI algorithms. Nowadays, AI technology has been gradually applied to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), covering the fields of myocardial contrast enhancement (MCE) pattern and automatic ventricular segmentation. This paper mainly discusses the relationship between machine learning and deep learning based on AI and pattern of MCE in CMRI. Recent Findings: It found that some histogram and GLCM parameters in ML algorithm had significant statistical differences in diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and differentiation of fibrosis and normal myocardial tissue. In the DL algorithm, there was no significant difference between CNN and observers in measuring myocardial fibrosis. Summary: The rapid development of texture parameter analysis methods would promote the medical imaging based on AI into a new era. Histogram and GLCM parameters are the research hotspot of unsupervised learning of MCE images. CNN has a great advantage in automatically identifying and quantifying myocardial fibrosis reflected by LGE images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The goal of this paper is to review present knowledge regarding biological pacemakers created by somatic reprogramming as a platform for mechanistic and metabolic understanding of the rare subpopulation of pacemaker cells, with the ultimate goal of creating biological alternatives to electronic pacing devices. Recent Findings: Somatic reprogramming of cardiomyocytes by reexpression of embryonic transcription factor T-box 18 (TBX18) converts them into pacemaker-like. Recent studies take advantage of this model to gain insight into the electromechanical, metabolic, and architectural intricacies of the cardiac pacemaker cell across various models, including a surgical model of complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) in adult rats. Summary: The studies reviewed here reinforce the potential utility of TBX18-induced pacemaker myocytes (iPMS) as a minimally invasive treatment for heart block. Several challenges which must be overcome to develop a viable therapeutic intervention based on these observations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial dilated cardiomyopathies (FDCMs) account for about one third of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathies, yet clinicians under-appreciate their prevalence. Among the inherited cardiomyopathies, FDCMs account for the greatest burden of heart failure and its associated morbidities. This paper summarizes significant molecular-genetic data, and discusses clinical manifestations of the major inherited cardiomyopathies, and the importance of clinical and genetic screening. Suggestions are provided as to how to proceed with screening. The purpose of this paper is to update clinicians about this rapidly growing scientific field, and to encourage application of current evidence to their practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]