Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the heart's main pumping chamber becomes enlarged and weakened, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively. It is the most common form of non-ischemic heart failure and accounts for a large share of heart transplants. Causes include genetic mutations, viral infections, alcohol, and immune system dysfunction, though in many cases no specific cause is found.
What's actually going on in research
Standard heart failure therapies — including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and the newer SGLT2 inhibitors now shown to reduce hospitalizations — form the backbone of DCM management. For patients with specific genetic mutations, such as those in the titin or LMNA genes, targeted trials are underway. Mavacamten, a cardiac myosin inhibitor now approved for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is being explored in select DCM subtypes, and gene therapy for TTN and LMNA-related DCM represents an emerging frontier.
SGLT2 inhibitors
SGLT2 inhibitors such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are now standard additions to heart failure therapy following trials showing reduced hospitalizations and improved outcomes in DCM patients.
Gene therapy for genetic DCM
Early-phase gene therapy trials targeting TTN, LMNA, and other pathogenic DCM mutations aim to correct the underlying genetic defect, with AAV delivery approaches in initial human studies.
Cardiac myosin inhibitors
Agents that modulate cardiac myosin contractility are being studied in selected DCM subtypes, building on the success of mavacamten in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
What to know before you search
Eligibility is typically based on ejection fraction, genetic mutation status, etiology of DCM, and current medical therapy.
What types of trials are currently open
- Device therapy trials — Testing advanced ICD, CRT, and mechanical circulatory support devices in DCM patients with reduced ejection fraction.
- Gene therapy trials — Early-phase AAV-based gene delivery targeting TTN, LMNA, and other genetic DCM mutations.
- Myosin modulator trials — Evaluating cardiac myosin inhibitors and activators in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy subtypes.
- Immunosuppression trials — Testing immunosuppressive therapies in inflammatory or immune-mediated DCM cases.
- SGLT2 inhibitor extension trials — Exploring SGLT2 inhibitors in specific DCM subtypes and earlier disease stages.
Recently added Dilated Cardiomyopathy trials
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Clinical Prediction Model-Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common and serious heart disease characterized by left ventricular enlargement and impaired pumping function, with adverse prognosis (including heart failure, arrhythmia, heart-related hospitalization, and death) being a major concern for patients. Currently, a critical gap exists in accurately predicting which DCM patients are at high risk of these severe outcomes, limiting targeted clinical care. This observational, non-invasive study aims to develop and validate a clinical prediction model for early risk warning of adverse prognosis in DCM patients. The model integrates multi-parameter stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (MP stress perfusion CMR)-a safe, high-resolution imaging technique that assesses cardiac structure, function, blood perfusion, and tissue damage under mild stress-and standard clinical data (e.g., age, gender, blood pressure, and routine heart test results). The model will be trained and tested using follow-up data from hundreds of DCM patients, with the analysis identifying patterns in CMR and clinical data associated with adverse outcomes. Once validated for accuracy, the model will provide doctors with personalized risk scores to prioritize care for high-risk patients (e.g., early intervention, close monitoring) and avoid over-treatment for lower-risk individuals. Beyond clinical application, the study will enhance understanding of DCM progression, laying the groundwork for improved diagnostic tools, more effective treatments, and better strategies to prevent DCM-related complications, ultimately improving patient quality of life and reducing mortality.
Study of the Progression of Chronic Cardiovascular Conditions
This study will collect physiologic data in patients with cardiovascular conditions and observe the natural history of those conditions for research purposes.
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