What is a cardiomyopathy? "A heterogenous group of diseases of the myocardium associated with mechanical and/or electrical dysfunction that usually exhibits inappropriate ventricular hypertorphy or dilation and are due to a variety of causes and frequently are genetic.", per the AHA. However there is no accepted universal definition. However, it should exclude: - secondary to atherosclerotic CAD - valvular disease - congenital heart disease - systemic hypertension

We use phenotypes to identify individuals with a clinical abnormality that fits into a conventional category of cardiomyopathy. These have been associated with specific genotypes, LV and RV functions, electrical dysfunctions: 1. DCM 2. ARVC 3. HCM 4. RCM