Clinical pathway for cardiomyopathies: A genetic testing strategy proposed by ANMCO in Tuscany

Hereditary cardiomyopathies, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy and left ventricular noncompaction, are clinically and genetically very heterogeneous diseases, and they represent a frequent cause of cardiac arrest and sudden death. To date, over 100 genes are known to be associated with the onset of cardiomyopathies. Genetic testing is performed by next generation sequencing, a technology that has made it possible to analyze hundreds of genes in many patients simultaneously, shortening costs and execution times. However, with the use of this technology, new problems have arisen regarding the indications for access to the test, the interpretation of the data and the clinical implications of the results. This document aims to represent an operational support tool for hospital cardiologists to make the use of genetic testing more accessible and appropriate for their patients with suspected or ascertained hereditary cardiomyopathy.