TORCH-DZHK1: TranslatiOnal Registry for CardiomyopatHies

Data is to be collected from some 2,300 patients with heart muscle damage (cardiomyopathy) whose condition was not caused by myocardial infarction, i.e. narrowing of the arteries. Instead this study will include patients who have suffered heart muscle damage for other reasons, for instance, as a result of genetic disposition or inflammatory processes. Diseases of the heart muscle have myriad causes and clinical manifestations. Therefore, the researchers intend to carry out detailed clinical examinations including taking small tissue samples from the heart by means of myocardial biopsy.

This is the first registry of its kind worldwide and by evaluating the data and biological material of a large number of patients over a long period of time researchers hope to find new evidence that will help them to identify the various causes of disease. Ultimately, earlier and more precise diagnosis of heart muscle diseases and better treatments could result.