In a study of 89 unrelated end-stage DCM patients requiring HTx, screening of thefive most common desmosomal genes (PKP2, DSP,JUP, DSC2, DSG2)identified genetic variants in 18% of the probands.51 Genetic testing in relatives identifiedadditionally 38 carriers, including some with subclinical DCM. The gene discussed is PKP2; the disease is familial dilated cardiomyopathy.