Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a heart muscle condition characterized by gradual weakening of the heart muscle. While DCM may be caused by other conditions, including myocardial infarction, many cases are now known to be caused by genetic mutations carried in families. Individuals with DCM may be only mildly affected or may be severely affected, even in the same family.