The two datasets GSE3585 and GSE5406 were loaded onto the GPL96 platform (Affymetrix Human Genome U133A Array [HG-U133A]). Additionally, the series matrix and platform annotation for the two databases were downloaded from the GEO database. The probe identity documents were transformed into gene symbols. Then, via the R package “Surrogate Variable Analysis,” the two databases were merged, and any batch effect was removed using the “Empirical Bayes” method[21 (link)]. The R package “limma” was applied to identify the DEGs between the DCM and healthy myocardium tissues[22 (link)]. The screening criteria were set as P < 0.05 and |log fold change (FC)| > 0.589 (FC > 1.5). Volcano and heat maps were generated using R software.