Advanced research models and methods, including preclinical drug tests and gene editing approaches, are essential for understanding hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pathophysiology and developing treatments.
This review highlights the advanced research models and methods used in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy studies to aid in drug development and improve patient management.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the commonest genetic cardiac disease, with a prevalence of 1/500. It is caused by over 1400 different mutations, mainly involving the genes coding for sarcomere proteins. The main pathological features of HCM are left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and the increased ventricular arrhythmogenesis. Predicting the risk of heart failure and lethal arrhythmias is the most challenging clinical task for HCM patient management. Moreover, there are no disease-modifying therapies that can prevent disease progression or sudden arrhythmic death in HCM patients. In this review, we will illustrate the most advanced research models and methods that have been employed for HCM studies, including preclinical tests of novel or existing drugs, along with visionary future development based on gene editing approaches. Acknowledging the advantages and limitations of the different models, and a critical consideration of the different, often conflicting result obtained using different approaches is essential for a deep understanding of HCM pathophysiology and for obtaining meaningful information on novel treatments, in order to improve patient risk stratification and therapeutic management.
Santini et al. (Sat,) conducted a review in Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Research models and methods was evaluated. Advanced research models and methods, including preclinical drug tests and gene editing approaches, are essential for understanding hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pathophysiology and developing treatments.