Prevalence of Pathogenic Gene Mutations and Prognosis Do Not Differ in Isolated Left Ventricular Dysfunction Compared With Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND

Genetic evaluation is recommended in patients with unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), but its diagnostic yield and prognostic relevance in unexplained isolated left ventricular dysfunction (LVdys) is unknown.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

A total of 127 LVdys and 262 DCM patients underwent genetic screening. Long-term outcome consisted of a combined end point of life-threatening arrhythmia, heart transplantation, and death. At baseline, LVdys patients were younger and had less frequently New York Heart Association class ≥3 when compared with DCM (55±13 versus 58±12; P=0.019 and 21% versus 36%; P=0.003, respectively). The prevalence of familial disease and pathogenic mutations was similar in LVdys and DCM (45% versus 40%; P=0.37 and 19% versus 17%; P=0.61, respectively). After a follow-up of 56 (31-82) months, outcome did not differ in LVdys compared with DCM patients (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-1.45; P=0.51). Overall, outcome was less favorable in patients with a genetic mutation or familial disease when compared with those without (hazard ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-7.7; P=0.048 and hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.2; P=0.013, respectively). Thus, the diagnostic yield of genetic testing in LVdys and DCM is similarly high. The presence of a gene mutation or familial predisposition results in an equally worse prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic evaluation is advised in LVdys patients and should not merely be restricted to DCM.