[Modern genetic counselling : Practical aspects exemplified by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Genetic counselling and subsequent molecular genetic testing should be performed in patients when an inherited monogenic form of heart disease is suspected. For the individual patient as well as for the (possibly asymptomatic) relatives, molecular diagnostics is important for an early diagnosis, (preventive) therapy and prognosis assessment. Using the example of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common monogenic form of structural heart disease, essential aspects of modern genetic counselling are elucidated. Specific examples of one case with a classical form of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and one case of congenital HCM with Noonan's syndrome are discussed.