Taken together, these echocardiographic measurements indicate that the two hallmarks of the human DCM phenotype, i.e., LV dilatation and LV hypocontractility, are reproduced by this Obscn KO mouse model, but the reduced contractility is mild and counteracted by the increased EDV, resulting in a compensated DCM phenotype. The gene discussed is OBSCN; the disease is familial dilated cardiomyopathy.