Finding why sudden cardiac death happens in dilated cardiomyopathy and how to stop it
Elucidating the Origin of Sudden Cardiac Death in Dilated Cardiomyopathy: from Phenotype Predictors to Therapeutic Targets
Looks at whether genetics and heart scarring can predict and help prevent deadly heart rhythms in people with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a project that combines genetic testing, advanced heart imaging, and clinical follow‑up to find who with dilated cardiomyopathy is most likely to have dangerous heart rhythms. The team will use next‑generation sequencing to look for gene variants and cardiac MRI to measure fibrosis, then link those findings to patient outcomes. Laboratory studies will explore how the implicated genes and scar tissue cause arrhythmias and may point to new treatment targets. Researchers plan to enroll familial and clinic cohorts and use detailed clinical information to build a precision approach for predicting and preventing sudden cardiac death.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with dilated nonischemic cardiomyopathy, particularly those with a family history of cardiomyopathy or unexplained arrhythmias, who are willing to undergo genetic testing and advanced heart imaging.
Not a fit: People with ischemic cardiomyopathy (heart damage from prior heart attacks) or unrelated cardiac conditions are less likely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help doctors identify patients with dilated cardiomyopathy who are at high risk of sudden cardiac death and guide targeted monitoring or therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has linked certain gene mutations and MRI‑detected fibrosis to higher arrhythmia risk, but combining genetics, imaging, and mechanistic lab studies for precise prediction is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mestroni, Luisa — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Mestroni, Luisa
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.