Updates on the Genetic Paradigm in Heart Failure

Purpose of review: The rapidly evolving field of cardiovascular genetics has already improved the care of patients with heart failure and families. The purpose of the current review is to describe the most and provide the most pertinent updates in the field of heart failure genetics. Recent findings: Recent advanced in heart failure genetics have begun to not only increase the yield of testing through improving technology and use of whole exome or whole genome screening, but also enabled the improving technology and increasing use of whole exome or whole genome screening, but also enabled an enhanced understanding of the implications of results of genetic testing. For instance, new data have described differential responses to heart failure therapies based on genetic testing. Additionally, variant analysis by locus in genetic cardiomyopathies has facilitated a much-improved prognostic understanding of phenotype. Recent years have seen advancements in the understanding of the genetics of rare disorders, including pediatric-onset cardiomyopathies, previously under-investigated; restrictive cardiomyopathies; and non-compaction cardiomyopathy. Summary: The last few years have heralded not only a broader understanding of the scope of the genetics of heart failure, but have also provided notable leaps in mechanistic and prognostic understanding, which will serve as the foundation for clinical investigation and future genetic variant assessment.