Impact of genotype-phenotype associations on prognosis in dilated cardiomyopathy

  • Sophie L V M Stroeks
  • , Ping Wang
  • , Marco Merlo
  • , Steven Muller
  • , Alessia Paldino
  • , Nerea Mora-Ayestaran
  • , Max Jason
  • , Matteo Dal Ferro
  • , Carola Pio Loca
  • , Fernando Dominguez
  • , Esther Gonzalez-Lopez
  • , Arthur van den Wijngaard
  • , Max F G H M Venner
  • , Maurits Sikking
  • , Michiel Minten
  • , Bastien Nihant
  • , Nina Beelen
  • , Sharon Graw
  • , Kristen Medo
  • , Bart de Koning
  • Matthew Taylor, J Peter van Tintelen, Luisa Mestroni, Gianfranco Sinagra, Anneline S J M Te Riele, Pablo Garcia-Pavia, Stephane Heymans, Job A J Verdonschot*
*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

AIMS: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has a monogenic aetiology in up to 40% of patients. Understanding the spectrum of genotype-phenotype associations in DCM is crucial for risk stratification and personalized treatment. We aimed to (i) characterize genotype-specific features, (ii) evaluate whether phenotype-based clustering reflects underlying genotype, and (iii) compare the prognostic value of genotype- versus phenotype-based approaches.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A multicentre cohort of 534 DCM patients with a (likely) pathogenic variant were grouped by genotype (genotype-first approach) and clustered by clinical phenotype (phenotype-first approach). We compared clinical characteristics, identified genotype-phenotype associations, and evaluated outcomes, including all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, heart transplantation, and malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Using the genotype-first approach, significant genotype-phenotype associations were found for 10 genes. FLNC, LMNA, DSP, and PLN variants were linked to arrhythmias. BAG3, TNNT2, DMD, and TTN were associated with increased cardiac volumes and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Clustering identified four phenotypic clusters: (1) young, moderately reduced LVEF; (2) arrhythmias, moderate reduced LVEF; (3) low LVEF; (4) arrhythmias, low LVEF. There were no clear correlations between phenotypic clusters and genotype. The genotype-first approach showed that LMNA, FLNC, and BAG3 variants had the highest risk for heart failure and arrhythmogenic adverse outcomes. The phenotype-first approach indicated that clusters 3 and 4 were associated with the worst prognosis. Overall, genotype was the strongest predictor of outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a genetic form of DCM exhibit clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Genotype-based risk stratification is more accurate compared to a phenotype-first approach, highlighting the importance of broad genetic screening among patients with DCM. Additionally, gene-specific risk prediction should become more prominent in current guidelines on management of genetic DCM patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3205-3218
Number of pages14
JournalEuropean Journal of Heart Failure
Volume27
Issue number12
Early online date12 Sept 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2025

Keywords

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Genetics
  • Prognosis
  • Risk prediction

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