Genetic analysis using targeted next-generation sequencing of sporadic Chinese patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Inherited dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) contributes to approximately 25% of idiopathic DCM cases, and the proportion is even higher in familial DCM patients. Most studies have focused on familial DCM, whereas the genetic profile of sporadic DCM in Chinese patients remains unknown. METHODS: Between June 2018 and September 2019, 24 patients diagnosed with idiopathic DCM without a family history were included in the present study. All patients underwent genetic screening for 80 DCM-related genes using targeted next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: By in silico analysis, 10 of 99 detected variants were considered pathogenic or likely-pathogenic, including seven TTN truncating variants (TTNtv), one in-frame deletion in TNNT2, one missense mutation in RBM20, and one frameshift deletion variant in FLNC. Of these variants, eight are reported for the first time. CONCLUSIONS: Using targeted next-generation sequencing, potential genetic causes of idiopathic DCM were identified. Sarcomere mutations remained the most common genetic cause of inherited DCM in this cohort of sporadic Chinese DCM. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-02832-3.