Familial inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Systematic family screening has recently identified dilated cardiomyopathy as an inherited disorder in up to 30% of cases. Mutations in genes encoding proteins responsible for myocardial architecture have been identified, but additional pathophysiological mechanisms including inflammatory reactions have been proposed.

Aims: Identification and characterization of familial DCM, where at least one affected family member fulfils the criteria for inflammatory DCM may lead to a better understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of (inflammatory) DCM.