The Family History as a Tool to Identify Patients at Risk for Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

The article considers the use of a family history in ascertaining and identifying patients at risk for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). A family history is constructed using various methods such as the use of questionnaires, pedigrees and computer programs. A family history, integrated with clinical screening can also identify individuals prone to genetic susceptibility to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). An overview of important familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDC) family history features is presented.