Interv Akut Kardiol. 2009;8(5):242-246

Genetic predisposition and risk of sudden cardiac death due to malignant arrythmias

Kamil Sedláček², Jaroslav Hubáček¹, Josef Kautzner²

¹ Pracoviště experimentální medicíny, Laboratoř molekulární genetiky, IKEM, Praha

² Klinika kardiologie, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny, Praha

Despite significant advances in primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death, risk stratification in individual patients is of

a limited value. In clinical practice, it remains restricted mainly to assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction which is the most robust

parameter among all. Advances in the field of genomic medicine open new opportunities to apply knowledge obtained through studies

of Mendelian diseases such as short or long QT syndrome for risk prediction of malignant arrhythmias in general population. Currently,

population studies are ongoing that aim at identification of genetic markers associated with increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmia

both in apparently healthy population and in patients with structural heart disease. In this article, we review current state of knowledge

in this field and identify potential practical use of genetic susceptibility markers in risk stratification of sudden cardiac death.

Keywords: sudden death, malignant arrhythmias, risk factors, genetics, mapping.

Published: November 20, 2009  Show citation