Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM) is rare, but the prognosis is poor. Most RCMs are described as idiopathic RCM, i.e., causes unknown. Recent studies have indicated that RCM is associated with myofibril protein mutations, especially thin filament protein troponin I (cTnI). Studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that calcium hypersensitivity is related to restricted ventricles due to cTnI mutations. Calcium hypersensitivity can lead to damaged relaxation and diastolic dysfunction. We have also found that green tea extract EGCg has a desensitizing effect that can reverse the increased calcium sensitivity in RCM. This presentation will discuss recent updates and contemporary research on diastolic dysfunction in CMs, especially RCM, which include their target proteins, mechanisms, clinical diagnosis, and potential therapies.

Dr. Huang received his medical degree in China, and a PhD in Biophysics fromthe University of Paris XII, followed by two postdoc trainings in INSERM U29 in France and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, USA. He is a tenured Professor of Molecular Cardiology in Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, USA. He has over 100 peer- reviewed publications that have been cited over 500 times, and his publication h-index is 26. He has been serving as an Associate Editor for Cardiology and Frontier in Cardiovascular Medicine.