# A Precision Medicine Approach to Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEISINGER CLINIC · 2021 · $623,964

## Abstract

ABSTRACT Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited heart disease that is
associated with sudden cardiac death. Clinical symptoms are frequently absent before a sudden death event,
so innovative approaches for early detection are needed. Most ARVC cases (60%) are caused by genetic
variants in desmosome proteins, so “genome-first” diagnosis is a promising new paradigm. Yet, current
knowledge gaps limit this approach: A) the prevalence and phenotypic effect of ARVC-associated variants in the
general population are unknown; and B) sensitive methods are needed for effectively distinguishing sub-clinical
disease from non-penetrance for genotype-positive, “phenotype-negative” (G+/P-) individuals. Geisinger's
“MyCode” Initiative is projected to have 150,000 participants with whole-exome sequencing by the end of 2018
and participant consent for clinical return of actionable findings. In Aim 1, we will leverage these resources to
determine the prevalence of pathogenic and likely pathogenic ARVC genetic variants and the associated
phenotypic burden. Findings from MyCode will be compared against other reference populations for a
generalizable assessment. Race-specific differences will also be quantified. We will then recruit all MyCode
participants confirmed to have pathogenic/likely pathogenic ARVC variants (G+) for prospective clinical and
research phenotyping assessments to define: 1) the number of patients satisfying the ARVC Task Force
diagnostic criteria and 2) the spectrum of phenotypic manifestations related to ARVC variants. Another important
unknown in ARVC is the factor(s) mediating genetic penetrance. Structural deterioration of cardiac desmosome
connections through a vigorously active lifestyle is the currently prevailing hypothesis. In Aim 2, we will confirm
this link between exercise and ARVC penetrance in a genome-first population. For individuals enrolled in Aim 1,
we will collect a detailed history of past and present exercise/athletic participation to test the hypotheses that a)
an ARVC phenotype in G+ subjects is dependent on a history of athletic activity; and b) development of incident
symptoms during follow-up is associated with a vigorously active lifestyle. Finally, the genome-first paradigm
requires new diagnostic methods to help distinguish non-penetrance from “concealed” disease. In Aim 3, we will
use advanced MRI techniques to look for evidence of subtle changes in cardiac structure and function in ARVC
G+ patients which could be suggestive of disease. These techniques include 3D myocardial strain measurement
and high-resolution imaging of myocardial fat and fibrosis. These advanced techniques have enhanced
sensitivity compared with existing clinical methods, and are better suited to evaluate the RV. We will acquire
these MRI data in ARVC G+ patients and matched controls to test the hypotheses that 3D bi-ventricular
myocardial strains and myocardial fat/fibrosis are abnormal in ARVC G+ patients. Compl...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10071196
- **Project number:** 5R01HL141901-03
- **Recipient organization:** GEISINGER CLINIC
- **Principal Investigator:** Christopher M Haggerty
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $623,964
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-19 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10071196

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10071196, A Precision Medicine Approach to Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (5R01HL141901-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10071196. Licensed CC0.

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