Genetically inherited heart diseases (familial cardiopathies) are conditions affecting the heart passed on to family members by abnormalities in genetic information. These conditions are responsible for many heart related deaths and illnesses.

Researchers are interested in learning more about the specific genetic abnormalities causing heart diseases. In addition, they would like to find out how these abnormal genes can contribute to the development of other medical problems.

In order to do this, researchers plan to study patients and family members of patients diagnosed with genetically inherited heart disease. Those people participating in the study will undergo a variety of tests including blood tests, echocardiograms, and magnetic resonance imaging studies (MRI). These tests will be used to help researchers find the genetic problem causing the familial cardiopathy.

Researchers hope that the information gathered from this study can be used to develop better medical care through early diagnosis, management, and treatment plans.

Familial cardiomyopathies (FC) are important cardiovascular causes of morbidity and mortality that demonstrate both allelic and non-allelic genetic heterogeneity. We propose to perform genetic studies to determine novel molecular causes of FC and to describe their clinical correlates. This will permit: (1) pre-symptomatic diagnosis; (2) definition of cardiac phenotype, disease penetrance; (3) natural history; (4) study of abnormal physiology that is a consequence of the molecular defect; (5) elucidation of specific mechanisms of arrythmias and sudden death; and (6) demonstration and characterization of skeletal muscle involvement.

INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

The subjects will consist of family members who may have inherited FC and spouses that may help in the linkage studies. Family members or spouses who do not wish to participate in the research protocol will be excluded from the study.