Background Dilated cardiomyopathy, characterized by ventricular dilatation and decreased systolic contraction, is twofold to threefold more common as a cause of heart failure than hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and costs several billion dollars annually. The idiopathic form occurring early in life, with a 75% mortality in 5 years, is a common reason for transplantation. It is estimated that at least 20% of cases are familial.

Methods and Results A family of 46 members spanning four generations underwent history and physical examinations, echocardiographic analysis, and blood sampling for genotyping. Diagnostic criteria, detected by echocardiography, consisted of ventricular dimension of ≥2.7 cm/m² with an ejection fraction ≤50% in the absence of other potential causes. DNA from all members was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for amplification of short tandem-repeat polymorphic markers located every 10 cM throughout the human genome. Assuming a penetrance of 90%, linkage analysis was performed to map the responsible chromosomal locus. Linkage analysis, after 412 markers were analyzed, indicated the locus to be on chromosome 1q32, with a peak multipoint logarithm of the odds score at D1S414 of 6.37.

Conclusions The locus identified in this study for familial dilated cardiomyopathy, 1q32, is rich in candidate genes, such as MEF-2, renin, and helix loop helix DNA binding protein MYF-4. Identification of the genetic defect could provide insight into the molecular basis for the cardiac dilatory response in both familial and acquired disorders.