[Genetic myocardiopathies: present and future].

Heart failure is a major health problem and is associated with a high mortality and morbidity. Recently, the role of the genetic background in the onset and the development of the disease has been evidenced in both heart failure with and without systolic dysfunction, and in familial and non familial forms of this condition. Several genes and loci are know identified as responsible for dilated cardiomyopathies and for hypertrophic cardiomyopathies in familial and monogenic forms. Susceptibility genes and modifier genes are also studied in nonfamilial forms of dilated cardiomyopathies. The analysis of genetic factors that predispose to heart failure looks promising. It should allow to better understand the underlying mechanisms that promote the development and the progression of the disease, to identify subjects at risk for the disease who would benefit of an early medical management and promote the development of pharmacogenetics.