Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model
Published on: August 8, 2022
Genetic Testing in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Jiri Bonaventura1, Eva Polakova1, Veronika Vejtasova1
1Department of Cardiology, Motol University Hospital, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic.
Insights
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited heart disease. Genetic testing advances understanding of its complex causes, aiding future treatment strategies for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Molecular Cardiology
- Genetic Disease Mechanisms
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects up to 1 in 200 individuals, often inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
- Most known pathogenic variants are linked to sarcomeric protein genes, but HCM's genetic basis is increasingly recognized as complex.
- Thousands of mutations across over 60 genes are associated with HCM, complicating genetic diagnosis and interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical context and recent breakthroughs in understanding the genetics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- To discuss the integration and clinical utility of molecular genetic testing for HCM.
- To explore the implications of genetic findings for disease mechanisms and therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of genetic studies in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Analysis of current diagnostic approaches using molecular genetic testing.
- Discussion of variant interpretation challenges and the significance of non-Mendelian forms.
Main Results:
- HCM genetics is complex, involving numerous genes beyond sarcomeric proteins.
- Genetic variant interpretation remains challenging, with many variants of uncertain significance identified.
- Patients without identified pathogenic variants may represent a non-Mendelian form with potentially better prognoses.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the genetic architecture of HCM is crucial for elucidating disease pathogenesis.
- Molecular genetic testing is becoming integral to clinical practice for HCM diagnosis and management.
- Further research into HCM genetics promises novel therapeutic targets and improved patient stratification.
Abstract:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited heart disease with an estimated prevalence of up to 1 in 200 individuals. In the majority of cases, HCM is considered a Mendelian disease, with mainly autosomal dominant inheritance. Most pathogenic variants are usually detected in genes for sarcomeric proteins. Nowadays, the genetic basis of HCM is believed to be rather complex. Thousands of mutations in more than 60 genes have been described in association with HCM. Nevertheless, screening large numbers of genes results in the identification of many genetic variants of uncertain significance and makes the interpretation of the results difficult. Patients lacking a pathogenic variant are now believed to have non-Mendelian HCM and probably have a better prognosis than patients with sarcomeric pathogenic mutations. Identifying the genetic basis of HCM creates remarkable opportunities to understand how the disease develops, and by extension, how to disrupt the disease progression in the future. The aim of this review is to discuss the brief history and recent advances in the genetics of HCM and the application of molecular genetic testing into common clinical practice.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

