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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

About hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes thickened (hypertrophied). The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood. HCM often goes undiagnosed because many people with the disease have few, if any, symptoms. However, in a small number of people with HCM, the thickened heart muscle can cause shortness of breath, chest pain or changes in the heart's electrical system, resulting in life-threatening irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or sudden death.

HCM is usually caused by changes in genes (gene mutations) that cause the heart muscle to thicken. HCM typically affects the muscular wall (septum) between the two bottom chambers of the heart (ventricles). The thickened wall might block blood flow out of the heart. This is called obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. If there's no significant blocking of blood flow, the condition is called nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, the heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle) might stiffen.  

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually passed down through families (inherited). People with one parent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have a chance of having the genetic mutation for the disease. Parents, children or siblings of a person with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy should ask their health care providers about screening for the disease.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Incidence

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is estimated to affect 1 in 500 worldwide1.

*Incidence varies depending on geography and ethnic background.

Program eligibility

The Roadmap2Rare Diagnostic Program* for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) testing is for individual patients with:

  • Clinical diagnosis of cardiomyopathy or cardiac arrythmia of unknown etiology; and/or,
  • Confirmed family history of HCM of unknown etiology.

*This testing program is not appropriate for carrier testing. 

About the test

Testing algorithm:

This panel analyzes 60 genes that have been associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and disorders associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

  • NGS gene panel will be performed.  
  • Both sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis will be performed on the coding regions of all genes included (unless otherwise marked). 

Genes tested

A2ML1, ACADVL, ACTC1, ACTN2, AGL, ANKRD1, BAG3, BRAF, CACNA1C, CALR3, CAV3, CBL, CPT2, CSRP3, DES, ELAC2, FHL1, FLNC, GAA, GATA4, GLA, HRAS, JPH2, KRAS, LAMP2, LDB3, MAP2K1, MAP2K2, MTO1, MYBPC3, MYH6, MYH7, MYL2, MYL3, MYLK2, MYOM1, MYOZ2, MYPN, NEXN, NF1, NRAS, PDLIM3, PLN, PRKAG2, PTPN11, RAF1, RASA1, RIT1, RRAS, SHOC2, SOS1, SOS2, SPRED1, TCAP, TNNC1, TNNI3, TNNT2, TPM1, TTR, VCL

Test methods & limitations

Sequencing is performed on genomic DNA using an Agilent targeted sequence capture method to enrich for the exome. Direct sequencing of the amplified captured regions was performed using 2X150bp reads on Illumina next generation sequencing (NGS) systems. A base is considered to have sufficient coverage at 20X and an exon is considered fully covered if all coding bases plus three nucleotides of flanking sequence on either side are covered at 20X or more. A list of these regions, if any, is available upon request. Alignment to the human reference genome (GRCh37) is performed and annotated variants are identified in the targeted region. Variants reviewed have a minimum coverage of 8X and an alternate allele frequency of 20% or higher. Indel and single nucleotide variants (SNVs) may be confirmed by Sanger sequence analysis before reporting at director discretion. This assay cannot detect variants in regions of the exome that are not covered, such as deep intronic, promoter and enhancer regions, areas containing large numbers of tandem repeats, and variants in mitochondrial DNA. Copy number variation (CNV) analysis detects deletions and duplications; in some instances, due to the size of the exons, sequence complexity, or other factors, not all CNVs may be analyzed or may be difficult to detect. When reported, copy number variant size is approximate. Actual breakpoint locations may lie outside of the targeted regions. CNV analysis will not detect tandem repeats, balanced alterations (reciprocal translocations, Robertsonian translocations, inversions, and balanced insertions), methylation abnormalities, triploidy, and genomic imbalances in segmentally duplicated regions. This assay is not designed to detect mosaicism; possible cases of mosaicism may be investigated at the discretion of the laboratory director. Primary data analysis is performed using Illumina bcl2fastq converter v2.19. Secondary analysis is performed using Illumina DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform v.3.10.8. Tertiary data analysis is performed using SnpEff v5.0 and Revvity Omics' internal ODIN v.1.01 software. CNV and absence of heterozygosity are assessed using BioDiscovery’s NxClinical v6.1 software. Genes and/or exons located in pseudogene regions are not covered in this assay.

Sample requirements

Dried blood spots (Preferred sample type)

Collection container(s): Dried blood spot card.

Collection: Follow kit instructions. Briefly, allow blood to saturate the card until indicated areas are filled and blood has soaked through the card. Air dry the card at ambient temperature for at least 3 hours.

  • NBS: Please contact Revvity Omics to request the StepOne® kit.
  • Gene Sequencing: Please contact Revvity Omics to request the DBS collection kit.
  • For pre-punched DBS: The required minimum is 6 punches

Condition: Follow the instructions provided with the collection set. Store the dried blood at ambient temperature for up to two days. If the specimen cannot be sent as soon as it is dry, the filter paper should be placed in a sealable plastic bag and stored in a refrigerator (≤ 8°C) or preferably in a freezer.

Shipping: Follow kit instructions. Double bag and ship overnight at ambient temperature.

DNA, isolated

Collection:

Required DNA quantity by test type*:

  • Next generation sequencing (NGS): Send >1000 ng total gDNA @ >15 ng/μL. Please ship samples in 10mM Tris. Do not use EDTA.
  • Sanger sequencing: Send >500 ng total gDNA @ >15 ng/μL (varies by the size of the gene and the variants requested).
  • Non-sanger sequencing tests: Send >500 ng total gDNA @ >15 ng/μL.

Condition: * Required DNA quality: High molecular weight DNA (>12kb). A260/A280 reading should be ≥ 1.8. A260/230 a ratio range of 1.8 to 2.2. Contact the laboratory for specific amounts if total ng cannot be met.

Shipping: Ship overnight at ambient temperature.

Special Instructions:

  • Research laboratories: DNA extracted in research laboratories is not acceptable. Only under exceptional circumstances (e.g., proband not available) will DNA extracted in a research laboratory be accepted for clinical testing. Additional testing (e.g., of other family members) may be required to confirm results.
  • Laboratories outside the United States: Non-US laboratories are not subject to CLIA regulations and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please call to speak with a laboratory genetic counselor before submitting a DNA sample from any non-CLIA-certified laboratory.
  • Special notes: If extracted DNA is submitted, information regarding the method used for extraction should be sent along with the sample.
Saliva

Collection container(s): Oragene™ Saliva Collection Kit or ORAcollect-Dx kit.

Collection: Collect saliva on an Oragene™ Saliva Collection Kit ORAcollect-Dx kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Condition: Store at ambient temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Shipping: Ship overnight at ambient temperature.

Special Instructions: Please contact Revvity Omics to request the saliva collection kit for patients who cannot provide a blood sample as whole blood is the preferred sample. Testing using Saliva swabs is currently not available for customers in India. Contact the Revvity Omics laboratory for more information.

Whole blood (EDTA)

Collection container(s): EDTA (purple top)

Collection: Infants (< 2-years): 2 to 3 mL; Children (>2-years): 3 to 5 mL; Older children and adults: Minimum 5mL. The blood tube should be inverted several times immediately after blood collection to prevent coagulation.

Condition: Store at ambient temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Shipping: Ship overnight at ambient temperature ensuring receipt within 5-days of collection.

Special Instructions: Clotted or hemolyzed samples are not accepted.

References

1. Onmen SR, et al. 2020 AHA/ACC guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Executive summary. Circulation. 2020; doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000938.

2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). American Heart Association. heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/what-is-cardiomyopathy-in-adults/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy.

This testing service has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Testing services may not be licensed in accordance with the laws in all countries. The availability of specific test offerings is dependent upon laboratory location. The content on this page is provided for informational purposes only, not as medical advice. It is not intended to substitute the consultation, diagnosis, and/or treatment provided by a qualified licensed physician or other medical professionals.