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Tomassini L, Ricchezze G, Fedeli P, Lancia M, Gambelunghe C, De Micco F, Cingolani M, Scendoni R. New Insights on Molecular Autopsy in Sudden Death: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1151. [PMID: 38893676 PMCID: PMC11171636 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sudden unexpected deaths often remain unresolved despite forensic examination, posing challenges for pathologists. Molecular autopsy, through genetic testing, can reveal hidden causes undetectable by standard methods. This review assesses the role of molecular autopsy in clarifying SUD cases, examining its methodology, utility, and effectiveness in autopsy practice. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42024499832). Searches on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified English studies (2018-2023) on molecular autopsy in sudden death cases. Data from selected studies were recorded and filtered based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics analyzed the study scope, tissue usage, publication countries, and journals. A total of 1759 publications from the past 5 years were found, with 30 duplicates excluded. After detailed consideration, 1645 publications were also excluded, leaving 84 full-text articles for selection. Out of these, 37 full-text articles were chosen for analysis. Different study types were analyzed. Mutations were identified in 17 studies, totaling 47 mutations. Molecular investigations are essential when standard exams fall short in determining sudden death causes. Expertise in molecular biology is crucial due to diverse genetic conditions. Discrepancies in post-mortem protocols affect the validity of results, making standardization necessary. Multidisciplinary approaches and the analysis of different tissue types are vital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Tomassini
- International School of Advanced Studies, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Giulia Ricchezze
- Department of Law, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy; (M.C.); (R.S.)
| | - Piergiorgio Fedeli
- School of Law, Legal Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Massimo Lancia
- Forensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Cristiana Gambelunghe
- Forensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Francesco De Micco
- Research Unit of Bioethics and Humanities, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy;
| | - Mariano Cingolani
- Department of Law, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy; (M.C.); (R.S.)
| | - Roberto Scendoni
- Department of Law, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy; (M.C.); (R.S.)
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2
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Vokač D, Stangler Herodež Š, Krgović D, Kokalj Vokač N. The Role of Next-Generation Sequencing in the Management of Patients with Suspected Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy after Syncope or Termination of Sudden Arrhythmic Death. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:72. [PMID: 38254962 PMCID: PMC10815304 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death are frequent in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and can precede heart failure or additional symptoms where malignant cardiac arrhythmias are mostly the consequence of advanced cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Finding these subgroups and making an early diagnosis could be lifesaving. In our retrospective study, we are presenting arrhythmic types of frequent cardiomyopathies where an arrhythmogenic substrate is less well defined, as in ischemic or structural heart disease. In the period of 2 years, next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests along with standard clinical tests were performed in 208 patients (67 women and 141 men; mean age, 51.2 ± 19.4 years) without ischemic or an overt structural heart disease after syncope or aborted sudden cardiac death. Genetic variants were detected in 34.4% of the study population, with a significant proportion of pathogenic variants (P) (14.4%) and variants of unknown significance (VUS) (20%). Regardless of genotype, all patients were stratified according to clinical guidelines for aggressive treatment of sudden cardiac death with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The P variant identified by NGS serves for an accurate diagnosis and, thus, better prevention and specific treatment of patients and their relatives. Results in our study suggest that targeted sequencing of genes associated with cardiovascular disease is an important addendum for final diagnosis, allowing the identification of a molecular genetic cause in a vast proportion of patients for a definitive diagnosis and a more specific way of treatment. VUS in this target population poses a high risk and should be considered possibly pathogenic in reanalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damijan Vokač
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Division of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia;
| | - Špela Stangler Herodež
- Clinical Institute for Genetic Diagnostics, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (Š.S.H.); (D.K.)
- Medical Faculty, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Danijela Krgović
- Clinical Institute for Genetic Diagnostics, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (Š.S.H.); (D.K.)
- Medical Faculty, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Nadja Kokalj Vokač
- Clinical Institute for Genetic Diagnostics, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (Š.S.H.); (D.K.)
- Medical Faculty, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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3
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Alzahrani SA, Alswaimil NF, Alammari AM, Al Saeed WH, Menezes RG. Postmortem Genetic Testing in Sudden Unexpected Death: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e33728. [PMID: 36643077 PMCID: PMC9837602 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death (SUD) is one of the challenging situations encountered in forensic medicine. As a rule, a comprehensive forensic assessment is performed to identify the cause of death in such cases; however, the absence of findings suggestive of a cause, i.e., a negative autopsy, warrants further investigation such as a molecular autopsy. In this review, we aim to highlight the genetic causes of SUD, tools used in a molecular autopsy, and the role of screening in surviving relatives. As per several guidelines, the most preferred samples for DNA extraction are whole blood and fresh frozen tissues. Furthermore, Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing are the technologies that are used for genetic analysis; the latter overcomes the former's drawbacks in terms of cost-effectiveness, time consumption, and the ability to sequence the whole exome. SUD have diverse etiologies; we can generally classify them into cardiac and non-cardiac causes. Regarding cardiac causes, many conditions having an underlying genetic basis are included, such as channelopathies and cardiomyopathies. Regarding non-cardiac causes of SUD, the main etiologies are epilepsy and metabolic disorders. Nevertheless, it has been proposed that there is a genetic overlap between channelopathies, especially long QT syndromes and epilepsy. Additionally, fatty acid oxidation disorders are major metabolic conditions that are caused by certain genetic mutations that can lead to SUD in infancy. Since many SUD causes have an underlying genetic mutation, it is important to understand the genetic variations not only to recognize the cause of death but also to undertake further preventive measures for surviving relatives. In conclusion, a molecular autopsy has a major role in the forensic examination of cases of SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahad A Alzahrani
- Department of General Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
| | - Nour F Alswaimil
- Department of General Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
| | - Alia M Alammari
- Department of General Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
| | - Wala H Al Saeed
- Department of General Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
| | - Ritesh G Menezes
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
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Rucinski C, Yunis LK, Rosas F, Santacruz D, Camargo JM, Yunis JJ. Genetic variants in Colombian patients with inherited cardiac conditions. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2022; 10:e2046. [PMID: 36204818 PMCID: PMC9651603 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical and molecular diagnosis of inherited cardiac conditions is key to find at-risk subjects and avoid preventable deaths. This study aimed to identify genetic variants in a sample of Colombian patients diagnosed with inherited cardiac conditions. METHODS Next-generation sequencing (Illumina platform) using a 231 gene panel was performed in blood samples of 25 unrelated patients with age disease onset between 9 and 55 years. RESULTS Genetic testing yield was 52%. Two novel likely pathogenic/ pathogenic variants were found: a DSP nonsense variant in a patient with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and a KCNE1 frameshift variant in two patients with long QT syndrome. Younger individuals (<18 years) had the highest genetic testing yield (66.6%) compared to 50% and 20% in young adults and patients over 40 years, respectively. All subjects affected with long QT syndrome with a severe event while exercising had a positive genetic test. They also had four times more loss of consciousness events and, resuscitated sudden cardiac arrest was more representative. CONCLUSION This study is the first one undertaken in Colombia to evaluate inherited cardiac conditions. It highlights the need to perform mutational analysis to provide adequate genetic counseling and to be able to identify patients at risk of severe events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Rucinski
- Grupo de Patología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina e Instituto de GenéticaUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaBogotáColombia
| | - Luz Karime Yunis
- Grupo de Patología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina e Instituto de GenéticaUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaBogotáColombia,Servicios Médico Yunis Turbay y Cia, SASBogotáColombia
| | | | | | | | - Juan José Yunis
- Grupo de Patología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina e Instituto de GenéticaUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaBogotáColombia,Servicios Médico Yunis Turbay y Cia, SASBogotáColombia
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Akgun-Dogan O, Ağaoğlu NB, K Demirkol Y, Doğanay L, Ergül Y, Karacan M. Mutational spectrum of congenital long QT syndrome in Turkey; identification of 12 novel mutations across KCNQ1, KCNH2, SCN5A, KCNJ2, CACNA1C, and CALM1. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 33:262-273. [PMID: 34860437 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is of great importance as it is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in childhood. The diagnosis is made by the prolongation of the QTc interval on the electrocardiography. However, clinical heterogeneity and nondiagnostic QTc intervals may cause a delay in the diagnosis. In such cases, genetic tests such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel analysis enable a definitive diagnosis. We present the first study that aimed to expand the LQTS's mutational spectrum by NGS panel analysis from Turkey. METHODS Fifty-seven unrelated patients with clinically diagnosed LQTS were investigated using an NGS panel that includes six LQTS-related genes. Clinical aspects, outcome, and molecular analysis results were reviewed. RESULTS Pathogenic (53%)/likely pathogenic (23%)/variant of unknown significance (4%) variants were detected in any of the genes examined in 79% of the patients. Among all detected variants, KCNQ1(71%) was the most common gene, followed by SCN5A (11%), KCNH2 (10%), CALM1 (5%), and CACNA1C (3%). Twelve novel variants were detected. Among the variants in KCNQ1, the c.1097G>A variant was present in 42% of patients. This variant also composed 31% of the variants detected in all of the genes. CONCLUSION Our study expands the spectrum of the variations associated with LQTS with twelve novel variants in five genes. And also it draws attention to the frequency of the KCNQ1 c.1097G>A variant and forms the basis for new studies to determine the possible founder effect in the Turkish population. Furthermore, identifying new variants and clinical findings has importance in elaborating the roles of related genes in pathophysiology and determining the variable expression and incomplete penetration rates in this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Akgun-Dogan
- Division of Pediatric Genetics, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nihat B Ağaoğlu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasemin K Demirkol
- Division of Pediatric Genetics, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Levent Doğanay
- Department of Internal Medicine, Genomic Laboratory (GLAB), Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yakup Ergül
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Karacan
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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6
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Structural Modelling of KCNQ1 and KCNH2 Double Mutant Proteins, Identified in Two Severe Long QT Syndrome Cases, Reveals New Insights into Cardiac Channelopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312861. [PMID: 34884666 PMCID: PMC8657475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac channelopathy characterized by a prolongation of the QT interval and T-wave abnormalities, caused, in most cases, by mutations in KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A. Although the predominant pattern of LQTS inheritance is autosomal dominant, compound heterozygous mutations in genes encoding potassium channels have been reported, often with early disease onset and more severe phenotypes. Since the molecular mechanisms underlying severe phenotypes in carriers of compound heterozygous mutations are unknown, it is possible that these compound mutations lead to synergistic or additive alterations to channel structure and function. In this study, all-atom molecular dynamic simulations of KCNQ1 and hERG channels were carried out, including wild-type and channels with compound mutations found in two patients with severe LQTS phenotypes and limited family history of the disease. Because channels can likely incorporate different subunit combinations from different alleles, there are multiple possible configurations of ion channels in LQTS patients. This analysis allowed us to establish the structural impact of different configurations of mutant channels in the activated/open state. Our data suggest that channels with these mutations show moderate changes in folding energy (in most cases of stabilizing character) and changes in channel mobility and volume, differentiating them from each other and from WT. This would indicate possible alterations in K+ ion flow. Hetero-tetrameric mutant channels showed intermediate structural and volume alterations vis-à-vis homo-tetrameric channels. These findings support the hypothesis that hetero-tetrameric channels in patients with compound heterozygous mutations do not necessarily lead to synergistic structural alterations.
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7
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Developmental changes in cardiac expression of KCNQ1 and SCN5A spliceoforms: Implications for sudden unexpected infant death. Heart Rhythm 2021; 19:667-673. [PMID: 34843966 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2021.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) occurs unpredictably and remains unexplained after scene investigation and autopsy. Approximately 1 in 7 cases of SUID can be related to a cardiac cause, and developmental regulation of cardiac ion channel genes may contribute to SUID. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to investigate the developmental changes in the spliceoforms of SCN5A and KCNQ1, 2 genes implicated in SUID. METHODS Using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we quantified expression of SCN5A (adult and fetal) and KCNQ1 (KCNQ1a and b) spliceoforms in 153 human cardiac tissue samples from decedents that succumbed to SUID ("unexplained") and other known causes of death ("explained noncardiac"). RESULTS There is a stepwise increase in the adult/fetal SCN5A spliceoform ratio from <2 months (4.55 ± 0.36; n = 51) through infancy and into adulthood (17.41 ± 3.33; n = 5). For KCNQ1, there is a decrease in the ratio of KCNQ1b to KCNQ1a between the <2-month (0.37 ± 0.02; n = 46) and the 2- to 4-month (0.28 ± 0.02; n = 52) age groups. When broken down by sex, race, or cause of death, there were no differences in SCN5A or KCNQ1 spliceoform expression, except for a higher ratio of KCNQ1b to KCNQ1a at 5-12 months of age for SUID females (0.40 ± 0.04; n = 9) than for males (0.25 ± 0.03; n = 6) and at <2 months of age for SUID white (0.42 ± 0.03; n = 19) than for black (0.33 ± 0.05; n = 9) infants. CONCLUSION This study documents the developmental changes in SCN5A and KCNQ1 spliceoforms in humans. Our data suggest that spliceoform expression ratios change significantly throughout the first year of life.
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8
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Kasak L, Rull K, Yang T, Roden DM, Laan M. Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Concealed Long-QT Syndrome. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e021236. [PMID: 34398675 PMCID: PMC8649249 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.021236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Recurrent pregnancy loss affects 1% to 2% of couples attempting childbirth. A large fraction of all cases remains idiopathic, which warrants research into monogenic causes of this distressing disorder. Methods and Results We investigated a nonconsanguineous Estonian family who had experienced 5 live births, intersected by 3 early pregnancy losses, and 6 fetal deaths, 3 of which occurred during the second trimester. No fetal malformations were described at the autopsies performed in 3 of 6 cases of fetal death. Parental and fetal chromosomal abnormalities (including submicroscopic) and maternal risk factors were excluded. Material for genetic testing was available from 4 miscarried cases (gestational weeks 11, 14, 17, and 18). Exome sequencing in 3 pregnancy losses and the mother identified no rare variants explicitly shared by the miscarried conceptuses. However, the mother and 2 pregnancy losses carried a heterozygous nonsynonymous variant, resulting in p.Val173Asp (rs199472695) in the ion channel gene KCNQ1. It is expressed not only in heart, where mutations cause type 1 long‐QT syndrome, but also in other tissues, including uterus. The p.Val173Asp variant has been previously identified in a patient with type 1 long‐QT syndrome, but not reported in the Genome Aggregation Database. With heterologous expression in CHO cells, our in vitro electrophysiologic studies indicated that the mutant slowly activating voltage‐gated K+ channel (IKs) is dysfunctional. It showed reduced total activating and deactivating currents (P<0.01), with dramatically positive shift of voltage dependence of activation by ≈10 mV (P<0.05). Conclusions The current study uncovered concealed maternal type 1 long‐QT syndrome as a potential novel cause behind recurrent fetal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kasak
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine University of Tartu Estonia
| | - Kristiina Rull
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine University of Tartu Estonia.,Women's Clinic Tartu University Hospital Tartu Estonia.,Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Tartu Estonia
| | - Tao Yang
- Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology and Biomedical Informatics Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville TN
| | - Dan M Roden
- Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology and Biomedical Informatics Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville TN
| | - Maris Laan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine University of Tartu Estonia
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Webster G, Puckelwartz MJ, Pesce LL, Dellefave-Castillo LM, Vanoye CG, Potet F, Page P, Kearns SD, Pottinger T, White S, Arunkumar P, Olson R, Kofman A, Ibrahim N, Ing A, Brew C, Yap KL, Kadri S, George AL, McNally EM. Genomic Autopsy of Sudden Deaths in Young Individuals. JAMA Cardiol 2021; 6:1247-1256. [PMID: 34379075 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2021.2789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Postmortem genetic testing of young individuals with sudden death has previously identified pathogenic gene variants. However, prior studies primarily considered highly penetrant monogenic variants, often without detailed decedent and family clinical information. Objective To assess genotype and phenotype risk in a diverse cohort of young decedents with sudden death and their families. Design, Setting, and Participants Pathological and whole-genome sequence analysis was conducted in a cohort referred from a national network of medical examiners. Cases were accrued prospectively from May 2015 to March 2019 across 24 US states. Analysis began September 2016 and ended November 2020. Exposures Evaluation of autopsy and clinical data integrated with whole-genome sequence data and family member evaluation. Results A total of 103 decedents (mean [SD] age at death, 23.7 [11.9] years; age range, 1-44 years), their surviving family members, and 140 sex- and genetic ancestry-matched controls were analyzed. Among 103 decedents, autopsy and clinical data review categorized 36 decedents with postmortem diagnoses, 23 decedents with findings of uncertain significance, and 44 with sudden unexplained death. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) genetic variants in arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy genes were identified in 13 decedents (12.6%). A multivariable analysis including decedent phenotype, ancestry, and sex demonstrated that younger decedents had a higher burden of P/LP variants and select variants of uncertain significance (effect size, -1.64; P = .001). These select, curated variants of uncertain significance in cardiac genes were more common in decedents than controls (83 of 103 decedents [86%] vs 100 of 140 controls [71%]; P = .005), and decedents harbored more rare cardiac variants than controls (2.3 variants per individual vs 1.8 in controls; P = .006). Genetic testing of 31 parent-decedent trios and 14 parent-decedent dyads revealed 8 transmitted P/LP variants and 1 de novo P/LP variant. Incomplete penetrance was present in 6 of 8 parents who transmitted a P/LP variant. Conclusions and Relevance Whole-genome sequencing effectively identified P/LP variants in cases of sudden death in young individuals, implicating both arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy genes. Genomic analyses and familial phenotype association suggest potentially additive, oligogenic risk mechanisms for sudden death in this cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Webster
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Megan J Puckelwartz
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Center for Genetic Medicine, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lorenzo L Pesce
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Center for Genetic Medicine, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lisa M Dellefave-Castillo
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Carlos G Vanoye
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Franck Potet
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patrick Page
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Samuel D Kearns
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tess Pottinger
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Steven White
- Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Rachael Olson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Amber Kofman
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Nora Ibrahim
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alexander Ing
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Pathology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Casey Brew
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Pathology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kai Lee Yap
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Pathology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sabah Kadri
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Pathology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alfred L George
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Elizabeth M McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Section Editor, JAMA Cardiology
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10
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Lankaputhra M, Voskoboinik A. Congenital Long QT Syndrome: A Clinician's Guide. Intern Med J 2021; 51:1999-2011. [PMID: 34151491 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a familial cardiac ion channelopathy first described over sixty years ago. It is characterised by prolonged ventricular repolarization (long QT on ECG), ventricular arrhythmias and associated syncope or sudden cardiac death. As the most closely studied cardiac channelopathy, over the decades we have gained a deep appreciation of the complex genetic model of LQTS. Variability in genetic expression and incomplete penetrance leads to a heterogenous phenotype that can be challenging to clinically classify. In recent times, progress has been made in diagnostic method, risk stratification and treatment options. This review has been written as a guide for the general cardiologist to understand the basic pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management priorities for the most encountered LQTS subtypes: LQT1, LQT2 and LQT3. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aleksandr Voskoboinik
- Division of Cardiology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia.,Division of Cardiology Western Health, Monash University & Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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11
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Guo L, Torii S, Fernandez R, Braumann RE, Fuller DT, Paek KH, Gadhoke NV, Maloney KA, Harris K, Mayhew CM, Zarpak R, Stevens LM, Gaynor BJ, Jinnouchi H, Sakamoto A, Sato Y, Mori H, Kutyna MD, Lee PJ, Weinstein LM, Collado-Rivera CJ, Ali BB, Atmakuri DR, Dhingra R, Finn ELB, Bell MW, Lynch M, Cornelissen A, Kuntz SH, Park JH, Kutys R, Park JE, Wang L, Hong SN, Gupta A, Hall JL, Kolodgie FD, Romero ME, Jeng LJB, Mitchell BD, Surve D, Fowler DR, Hong CC, Virmani R, Finn AV. Genetic Variants Associated With Unexplained Sudden Cardiac Death in Adult White and African American Individuals. JAMA Cardiol 2021; 6:1013-1022. [PMID: 34076677 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2021.1573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Importance Unexplained sudden cardiac death (SCD) describes SCD with no cause identified. Genetic testing helps to diagnose inherited cardiac diseases in unexplained SCD; however, the associations between pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants of inherited cardiomyopathies (CMs) and arrhythmia syndromes and the risk of unexplained SCD in both White and African American adults living the United States has never been systematically examined. Objective To investigate cases of unexplained SCD to determine the frequency of P/LP genetic variants of inherited CMs and arrhythmia syndromes. Design, Setting, and Participants This genetic association study included 683 African American and White adults who died of unexplained SCD and were included in an autopsy registry. Overall, 413 individuals had DNA of acceptable quality for genetic sequencing. Data were collected from January 1995 to December 2015. A total of 30 CM genes and 38 arrhythmia genes were sequenced, and variants in these genes, curated as P/LP, were examined to study their frequency. Data analysis was performed from June 2018 to March 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures The frequency of P/LP variants for CM or arrhythmia in individuals with unexplained SCD. Results The median (interquartile range) age at death of the 413 included individuals was 41 (29-48) years, 259 (62.7%) were men, and 208 (50.4%) were African American adults. A total of 76 patients (18.4%) with unexplained SCD carried variants considered P/LP for CM and arrhythmia genes. In total, 52 patients (12.6%) had 49 P/LP variants for CM, 22 (5.3%) carried 23 P/LP variants for arrhythmia, and 2 (0.5%) had P/LP variants for both CM and arrhythmia. Overall, 41 P/LP variants for hypertrophic CM were found in 45 patients (10.9%), 9 P/LP variants for dilated CM were found in 11 patients (2.7%), and 10 P/LP variants for long QT syndrome were found in 11 patients (2.7%). No significant difference was found in clinical and heart characteristics between individuals with or without P/LP variants. African American and White patients were equally likely to harbor P/LP variants. Conclusions and Relevance In this large genetic association study of community cases of unexplained SCD, nearly 20% of patients carried P/LP variants, suggesting that genetics may contribute to a significant number of cases of unexplained SCD. Our findings regarding both the association of unexplained SCD with CM genes and race-specific genetic variants suggest new avenues of study for this poorly understood entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Guo
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland.,currently with Bioscience Cardiovascular Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals Research and Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Sho Torii
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland.,currently with Department of Cardiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kristin A Maloney
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kathryn Harris
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Laura M Stevens
- Institute for Precision Cardiovascular Medicine, American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas
| | - Brady J Gaynor
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Yu Sato
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Hiroyoshi Mori
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland.,currently with Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Parker J Lee
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Bakr B Ali
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | | | | | | | - Mack W Bell
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Megan Lynch
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | - Ji-Eun Park
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Libin Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Susie N Hong
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Anuj Gupta
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jennifer L Hall
- Institute for Precision Cardiovascular Medicine, American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas
| | | | | | - Linda J B Jeng
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Braxton D Mitchell
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - David R Fowler
- Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles C Hong
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Aloke V Finn
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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12
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Stiles MK, Wilde AAM, Abrams DJ, Ackerman MJ, Albert CM, Behr ER, Chugh SS, Cornel MC, Gardner K, Ingles J, James CA, Juang JMJ, Kääb S, Kaufman ES, Krahn AD, Lubitz SA, MacLeod H, Morillo CA, Nademanee K, Probst V, Saarel EV, Sacilotto L, Semsarian C, Sheppard MN, Shimizu W, Skinner JR, Tfelt-Hansen J, Wang DW. 2020 APHRS/HRS expert consensus statement on the investigation of decedents with sudden unexplained death and patients with sudden cardiac arrest, and of their families. J Arrhythm 2021; 37:481-534. [PMID: 34141003 PMCID: PMC8207384 DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This international multidisciplinary document intends to provide clinicians with evidence-based practical patient-centered recommendations for evaluating patients and decedents with (aborted) sudden cardiac arrest and their families. The document includes a framework for the investigation of the family allowing steps to be taken, should an inherited condition be found, to minimize further events in affected relatives. Integral to the process is counseling of the patients and families, not only because of the emotionally charged subject, but because finding (or not finding) the cause of the arrest may influence management of family members. The formation of multidisciplinary teams is essential to provide a complete service to the patients and their families, and the varied expertise of the writing committee was formulated to reflect this need. The document sections were divided up and drafted by the writing committee members according to their expertise. The recommendations represent the consensus opinion of the entire writing committee, graded by Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence. The recommendations were opened for public comment and reviewed by the relevant scientific and clinical document committees of the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS); the document underwent external review and endorsement by the partner and collaborating societies. While the recommendations are for optimal care, it is recognized that not all resources will be available to all clinicians. Nevertheless, this document articulates the evaluation that the clinician should aspire to provide for patients with sudden cardiac arrest, decedents with sudden unexplained death, and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin K Stiles
- Waikato Clinical School Faculty of Medicine and Health Science The University of Auckland Hamilton New Zealand
| | - Arthur A M Wilde
- Heart Center Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology Amsterdam University Medical Center University of Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Elijah R Behr
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute St George's University of London, and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London UK
| | | | - Martina C Cornel
- Amsterdam University Medical Center Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Clinical Genetics Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | | | - Jodie Ingles
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology at Centenary Institute The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | | | - Jyh-Ming Jimmy Juang
- Cardiovascular Center and Division of Cardiology Department of Internal Medicine National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei Taiwan
| | - Stefan Kääb
- Department of Medicine I University Hospital LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | | | | | | | - Heather MacLeod
- Data Coordinating Center for the Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry Okemos MI USA
| | | | - Koonlawee Nademanee
- Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, and Pacific Rim Electrophysiology Research Institute at Bumrungrad Hospital Bangkok Thailand
| | | | - Elizabeth V Saarel
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Cardiology at Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
- St Luke's Medical Center Boise ID USA
| | - Luciana Sacilotto
- Heart Institute University of São Paulo Medical School São Paulo Brazil
| | - Christopher Semsarian
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology at Centenary Institute The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | - Mary N Sheppard
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute St George's University of London, and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London UK
| | - Wataru Shimizu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Nippon Medical School Tokyo Japan
| | | | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- Department of Forensic Medicine Faculty of Medical Sciences Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Dao Wu Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
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13
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Asatryan B, Yee L, Ben-Haim Y, Dobner S, Servatius H, Roten L, Tanner H, Crotti L, Skinner JR, Remme CA, Chevalier P, Medeiros-Domingo A, Behr ER, Reichlin T, Odening KE, Krahn AD. Sex-Related Differences in Cardiac Channelopathies: Implications for Clinical Practice. Circulation 2021; 143:739-752. [PMID: 33587657 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.048250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Sex-related differences in prevalence, clinical presentation, and outcome of cardiac channelopathies are increasingly recognized, despite their autosomal transmission and hence equal genetic predisposition among sexes. In congenital long-QT syndrome, adult women carry a greater risk for Torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death than do men. In contrast, Brugada syndrome is observed predominantly in adult men, with a considerably higher risk of arrhythmic sudden cardiac death in adult men than in women. In both conditions, the risk for arrhythmias varies with age. Sex-associated differences appear less evident in other cardiac channelopathies, likely a reflection of their rare(r) occurrence and our limited knowledge. In several cardiac channelopathies, sex-specific predictors of outcome have been identified. Together with genetic and environmental factors, sex hormones contribute to the sex-related disparities in cardiac channelopathies through modulation of the expression and function of cardiac ion channels. Despite these insights, essential knowledge gaps exist in the mechanistic understanding of these differences, warranting further investigation. Precise application of the available knowledge may improve the individualized care of patients with cardiac channelopathies. Promoting the reporting of sex-related phenotype and outcome parameters in clinical and experimental studies and advancing research on cardiac channelopathy animal models should translate into improved patient outcomes. This review provides a critical digest of the current evidence for sex-related differences in cardiac channelopathies and emphasizes their clinical implications and remaining gaps requiring further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babken Asatryan
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Lauren Yee
- Heart Rhythm Services, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (L.Y., A.D.K.)
| | - Yael Ben-Haim
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, United Kingdom (Y.B.-H., E.R.B.).,European Reference Network for Rare and Low Prevalence Complex Diseases of the Heart: ERN GUARD-Heart (Y.B.-H., L.C., P.C., E.R.B.)
| | - Stephan Dobner
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Helge Servatius
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Laurent Roten
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Hildegard Tanner
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Lia Crotti
- European Reference Network for Rare and Low Prevalence Complex Diseases of the Heart: ERN GUARD-Heart (Y.B.-H., L.C., P.C., E.R.B.).,Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Milan, Italy (L.C.).,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy (L.C.).,Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, San Luca Hospital, Milan, Italy (L.C.)
| | - Jonathan R Skinner
- The Cardiac Inherited Disease Group, Auckland, New Zealand (J.R.S.).,Greenlane Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand (J.R.S.).,Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand (J.R.S.)
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (C.A.R.)
| | - Philippe Chevalier
- Department of Rhythmology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Louis Pradel Cardiovascular Hospital, France (P.C.).,Lyon Reference Center for Inherited Arrhythmias, Louis Pradel Cardiovascular Hospital, Bron, France (P.C.).,Université de Lyon, France (P.C.)
| | | | - Elijah R Behr
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, United Kingdom (Y.B.-H., E.R.B.).,European Reference Network for Rare and Low Prevalence Complex Diseases of the Heart: ERN GUARD-Heart (Y.B.-H., L.C., P.C., E.R.B.).,Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom (E.R.B.)
| | - Tobias Reichlin
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Katja E Odening
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Andrew D Krahn
- Heart Rhythm Services, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (L.Y., A.D.K.)
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14
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Stiles MK, Wilde AAM, Abrams DJ, Ackerman MJ, Albert CM, Behr ER, Chugh SS, Cornel MC, Gardner K, Ingles J, James CA, Jimmy Juang JM, Kääb S, Kaufman ES, Krahn AD, Lubitz SA, MacLeod H, Morillo CA, Nademanee K, Probst V, Saarel EV, Sacilotto L, Semsarian C, Sheppard MN, Shimizu W, Skinner JR, Tfelt-Hansen J, Wang DW. 2020 APHRS/HRS expert consensus statement on the investigation of decedents with sudden unexplained death and patients with sudden cardiac arrest, and of their families. Heart Rhythm 2021; 18:e1-e50. [PMID: 33091602 PMCID: PMC8194370 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This international multidisciplinary document intends to provide clinicians with evidence-based practical patient-centered recommendations for evaluating patients and decedents with (aborted) sudden cardiac arrest and their families. The document includes a framework for the investigation of the family allowing steps to be taken, should an inherited condition be found, to minimize further events in affected relatives. Integral to the process is counseling of the patients and families, not only because of the emotionally charged subject, but because finding (or not finding) the cause of the arrest may influence management of family members. The formation of multidisciplinary teams is essential to provide a complete service to the patients and their families, and the varied expertise of the writing committee was formulated to reflect this need. The document sections were divided up and drafted by the writing committee members according to their expertise. The recommendations represent the consensus opinion of the entire writing committee, graded by Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence. The recommendations were opened for public comment and reviewed by the relevant scientific and clinical document committees of the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS); the document underwent external review and endorsement by the partner and collaborating societies. While the recommendations are for optimal care, it is recognized that not all resources will be available to all clinicians. Nevertheless, this document articulates the evaluation that the clinician should aspire to provide for patients with sudden cardiac arrest, decedents with sudden unexplained death, and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin K Stiles
- Waikato Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, The University of Auckland, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Arthur A M Wilde
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Elijah R Behr
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's, University of London, and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sumeet S Chugh
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jodie Ingles
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology at Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Jyh-Ming Jimmy Juang
- Cardiovascular Center and Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Stefan Kääb
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Andrew D Krahn
- The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Heather MacLeod
- Data Coordinating Center for the Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry, Okemos, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Koonlawee Nademanee
- Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Medicine, and Pacific Rim Electrophysiology Research Institute at Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Elizabeth V Saarel
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Cardiology at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, and St Luke's Medical Center, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - Luciana Sacilotto
- Heart Institute, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christopher Semsarian
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology at Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mary N Sheppard
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's, University of London, and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wataru Shimizu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jonathan R Skinner
- Cardiac Inherited Disease Group, Starship Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dao Wu Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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15
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Rucinski C, Winbo A, Marcondes L, Earle N, Stiles M, Stiles R, Hooks D, Neas K, Hayes I, Crawford J, Martin A, Skinner JR. A Population-Based Registry of Patients With Inherited Cardiac Conditions and Resuscitated Cardiac Arrest. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020; 75:2698-2707. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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16
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Winbo A, Earle N, Marcondes L, Crawford J, Prosser DO, Love DR, Merriman TR, Cadzow M, Stiles R, Donoghue T, Stiles MK, Hayes I, Skinner JR. Genetic testing in Polynesian long QT syndrome probands reveals a lower diagnostic yield and an increased prevalence of rare variants. Heart Rhythm 2020; 17:1304-1311. [PMID: 32229296 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New Zealand has a multiethnic population and a national cardiac inherited disease registry (Cardiac Inherited Disease Registry New Zealand [CIDRNZ]). Ancestry is reflected in the spectrum and prevalence of genetic variants in long QT syndrome (LQTS). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to study the genetic testing yield and mutation spectrum of CIDRNZ LQTS probands stratified by self-identified ethnicity. METHODS A 15-year retrospective review of clinical CIDRNZ LQTS probands with a Schwartz score of ≥2 who had undergone genetic testing was performed. RESULTS Of the 264 included LQTS probands, 160 (61%) reported as European, 79 (30%) NZ Māori and Pacific peoples (Polynesian), and 25 (9%) Other ethnicities, with comparable clinical characteristics across ethnic groups (cardiac events in 72%; age at presentation 28±19 years; corrected QT interval 512±55 ms). Despite comparable testing (5.3±1.4 LQTS genes), a class III-V LQTS variant was identified in 35% of Polynesian probands as compared with 63% of European and 72% of Other probands (P<.0001). Among variant-positive CIDRNZ LQTS probands (n=148), Polynesians were more likely to have non-missense variants (57% vs 39% and 25% in probands of European and Other ethnicity, respectively; P=.005) as well as long QT syndrome type 1-3 variants not reported elsewhere (71% vs European 22% and Other 28%; P<.0001). Variants found in multiple probands were more likely to be shared within the same ethnic group; P<.01). CONCLUSION Genetic testing of Polynesian LQTS probands has a lower diagnostic yield, despite comparable testing and clinical disease severity. Rare LQTS variants are more common in Polynesian LQTS probands. These data emphasize the importance of increasing the knowledge of genetic variation in the Polynesian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Winbo
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Nikki Earle
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Luciana Marcondes
- Department of Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jackie Crawford
- Department of Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Debra O Prosser
- Diagnostic Genetics, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Donald R Love
- Diagnostic Genetics, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tony R Merriman
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Murray Cadzow
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rachael Stiles
- Department of Cardiology, Waikato Hospital, Waikato, New Zealand
| | - Tom Donoghue
- Department of Cardiology, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Martin K Stiles
- Department of Cardiology, Waikato Hospital, Waikato, New Zealand
| | - Ian Hayes
- Genetic Health Service NZ, Northern Hub, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan R Skinner
- Department of Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
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17
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Bagnall RD, Singer ES, Tfelt-Hansen J. Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young. Heart Lung Circ 2019; 29:498-504. [PMID: 32029328 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) of a young person is a devastating and tragic ultimate outcome of a collection of cardiac disorders. The death often occurs in people who were thought to be well, by definition is sudden, can occur without prior warning symptoms, and is often the first presentation of an underlying genetic heart disease. Many of the genetic heart diseases are caused by single genetic variants that have a one-in-two chance of being inherited by each first-degree relative. Therefore, the surviving family not only have to deal with the sudden loss of a young family member but are also left with the compounding uncertainty as to whether SCD could strike again in another family member. In recent years, our ability to identify the causes of SCD in the young has improved. Finding a precise genetic cause of death allows cascade genetic testing of family members to identify those who are at risk and facilitate early intervention to prevent another sudden death. Thus, investigations to define the precise cause of SCD of a young person not only bring a level of closure for the family but are also of vital clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Bagnall
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Medical School Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Emma S Singer
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- The Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Pigolkin YI, Shilova MA, Berezovskiy DP, Egorov VN, Tayutina TV, Bachurin SS, Kolomoets IA. [Molecular genetic basis of sudden cardiac death in the young with cardiomyopathy of various origins]. Sud Med Ekspert 2019; 62:48-53. [PMID: 31198205 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20196203148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This paper provides a review of the modern literature devoted to the problem of forensic medical interpretation of the molecular genetic research of the young who died suddenly. The authors attempted to draw a parallel between the morphological markers of different variants of cardiomyopathy as the most common disease in sudden death at a young age and the association with genetic mutations in the genes responsible for the synthesis of sarcomer proteins, desmos and membrane channels. Based on the results of the analysis, further research is proposed to improve the accuracy of forensic diagnosis in cases of young deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu I Pigolkin
- Department of Forensic Medicine of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University under Ministry of Health of the Russia, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - M A Shilova
- Department of Forensic Medicine of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University under Ministry of Health of the Russia, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - D P Berezovskiy
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law of the Rostov State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russia, Rostov-on-Don, Russia, 344022
| | - V N Egorov
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law of the Rostov State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russia, Rostov-on-Don, Russia, 344022
| | - T V Tayutina
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law of the Rostov State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russia, Rostov-on-Don, Russia, 344022
| | - S S Bachurin
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law of the Rostov State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russia, Rostov-on-Don, Russia, 344022
| | - I A Kolomoets
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law of the Rostov State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russia, Rostov-on-Don, Russia, 344022
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Crandall LG, Lee JH, Stainman R, Friedman D, Devinsky O. Potential Role of Febrile Seizures and Other Risk Factors Associated With Sudden Deaths in Children. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e192739. [PMID: 31026025 PMCID: PMC6487567 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.2739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) is the fifth leading category of death among toddlers but remains underrecognized and inadequately studied. OBJECTIVE To assess the potential role of febrile seizures (FS) and other risk factors associated with SUDC and describe the epidemiology, mechanisms, and prevention of SUDC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This case series study reviewed 622 consecutive sudden child death cases aged 1 to 17 years from 2001 to 2017 from 18 countries. Data were collected from family members of children who died suddenly; these families voluntarily registered with the SUDC Foundation. Data analysis was conducted from November 2017 to February 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Certified manner of death characterized as accident, natural, or undetermined. RESULTS A total of 391 families with decedents aged 1 to 6 years completed a comprehensive interview on medical and social histories, and circumstances of death with forensic evaluations revealing a cause of death (sudden explained death in childhood [SEDC]) or no cause of death (SUDC). Of these children, 231 (59.1%) were male, the mean (SD) age at death was 24.9 (12.8) months, and 104 (26.6%) had a history of FS. Compared with the general population FS prevalence (2%-5%), FS prevalence among SUDC (28.8%; 95% CI, 23.3%-34.2%) and SEDC (22.1%; 95% CI, 14.8%-29.3%) were elevated. The odds of death during sleep was 4.6-fold higher in SUDC than in SEDC cases (odds ratio, 4.61; 95% CI, 1.92-11.09; adjusted P = .008). The siblings of SUDC cases were followed up for 3144 life-years, and none died prematurely from SUDC. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This analysis of the largest SUDC cohort confirmed an increased FS rate and found significantly increased rates of FS among SEDC. This study suggests that seizures may contribute to some SUDC and SEDC deaths. The risk of sudden death in a sibling was low. To develop and assess preventive strategies, population-based studies are needed to define the epidemiology and spectrum of risk factors and identify biomarkers of patients with FS at high risk of sudden death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gould Crandall
- Sudden Unexplained Death In Childhood Foundation, Roseland, New Jersey
- New York University School of Medicine, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York
| | - Joyce H. Lee
- New York University School of Medicine, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York
| | - Rebecca Stainman
- New York University School of Medicine, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York
| | - Daniel Friedman
- New York University School of Medicine, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- New York University School of Medicine, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York
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Ghorayeb N, Stein R, Daher DJ, Silveira ADD, Ritt LEF, Santos DFPD, Sierra APR, Herdy AH, Araújo CGSD, Colombo CSSDS, Kopiler DA, Lacerda FFRD, Lazzoli JK, Matos LDNJD, Leitão MB, Francisco RC, Alô ROB, Timerman S, Carvalho TD, Garcia TG. The Brazilian Society of Cardiology and Brazilian Society of Exercise and Sports Medicine Updated Guidelines for Sports and Exercise Cardiology - 2019. Arq Bras Cardiol 2019; 112:326-368. [PMID: 30916199 PMCID: PMC6424031 DOI: 10.5935/abc.20190048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nabil Ghorayeb
- Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Hospital do Coração (HCor), Associação do Sanatório Sírio, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina do Esporte da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Instituto de Assistência Médica ao Servidor Público Estadual (IAMSPE), São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciências Cardiovasculares da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (HCPA/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
- Vitta Centro de Bem Estar Físico, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
| | - Daniel Jogaib Daher
- Hospital do Coração (HCor), Associação do Sanatório Sírio, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | - Anderson Donelli da Silveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciências Cardiovasculares da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (HCPA/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
- Vitta Centro de Bem Estar Físico, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo Fonteles Ritt
- Hospital Cárdio Pulmonar, Salvador, BA - Brazil
- Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, BA - Brazil
| | | | | | - Artur Haddad Herdy
- Instituto de Cardiologia de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC - Brazil
- Clínica Cardiosport de Prevenção e Reabilitação, Florianópolis, SC - Brazil
| | | | - Cléa Simone Sabino de Souza Colombo
- Hospital do Coração (HCor), Associação do Sanatório Sírio, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Sports Cardiology, Cardiology Clinical Academic Group - St George's University of London,14 London - UK
| | - Daniel Arkader Kopiler
- Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte e do Exercício (SBMEE), São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia (INC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
| | - Filipe Ferrari Ribeiro de Lacerda
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciências Cardiovasculares da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
| | - José Kawazoe Lazzoli
- Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte e do Exercício (SBMEE), São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Federação Internacional de Medicina do Esporte (FIMS), Lausanne - Switzerland
| | | | - Marcelo Bichels Leitão
- Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte e do Exercício (SBMEE), São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | - Ricardo Contesini Francisco
- Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Hospital do Coração (HCor), Associação do Sanatório Sírio, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Otávio Bougleux Alô
- Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Hospital Geral de São Mateus, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | - Sérgio Timerman
- Instituto do Coração da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (InCor-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, Laureate International Universities, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | - Tales de Carvalho
- Clínica Cardiosport de Prevenção e Reabilitação, Florianópolis, SC - Brazil
- Departamento de Ergometria e Reabilitação Cardiovascular da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia (DERC/SBC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Florianópolis, SC - Brazil
| | - Thiago Ghorayeb Garcia
- Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
- Hospital do Coração (HCor), Associação do Sanatório Sírio, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
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21
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Dong J, Williams N, Cerrone M, Borck C, Wang D, Zhou B, Eng LS, Subbotina E, Um SY, Lin Y, Ruiter K, Rojas L, Coetzee WA, Sampson BA, Tang Y. Molecular autopsy: using the discovery of a novel de novo pathogenic variant in the KCNH2 gene to inform healthcare of surviving family. Heliyon 2018; 4:e01015. [PMID: 30582040 PMCID: PMC6288419 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Molecular testing of the deceased (Molecular Autopsy) is an overlooked area in the United States healthcare system and is not covered by medical insurance, leading to ineffective care for surviving families of thousands of sudden unexpected natural deaths each year. We demonstrated the precision management of surviving family members through the discovery of a novel de novo pathogenic variant in a decedent. Methods Forensic investigation and molecular autopsy were performed on an 18-year-old female who died suddenly and unexpectedly. Co-segregation family study of the first-degree relatives and functional characterization of the variant were conducted. Findings We identified a novel nonsense variant, NP_000229.1:p.Gln1068Ter, in the long QT syndrome type II gene KCNH2 in the decedent. This finding correlated with her ante-mortem electrocardiograms. Patch clamp functional studies using transfected COS-7 cells show that hERG-ΔQ1068 has a mixed phenotype, with both gain- (negative voltage shift of steady-state activation curve, the positive shift of the steady-state inactivation curve, and accelerated activation) and loss-of function (reduced current density, reduced surface expression and accelerated deactivation) hallmarks. Loss of cumulative activation during rapid pacing demonstrates that the loss-of-function phenotype predominates. The wild-type channel did not rescue the hERG-ΔQ1068 defects, demonstrating haploinsufficiency of the heterozygous state. Targeted variant testing in the family showed that the variant in KCNH2 arose de novo, which eliminated the need for exhaustive genome testing and annual cardiac follow-up for the parents and four siblings. Interpretation Molecular testing enables accurate determination of natural causes of death and precision care of the surviving family members in a time and cost-saving manner. We advocate for molecular autopsy being included under the healthcare coverage in US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, USA.,Department of Physiology and Neurosciences, NYU School of Medicine, USA
| | - Nori Williams
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Marina Cerrone
- Cardiovascular Genetics Program, Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, NYU School of Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Christopher Borck
- Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Dawei Wang
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Bo Zhou
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Lucy S Eng
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Ekaterina Subbotina
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, USA.,Department of Physiology and Neurosciences, NYU School of Medicine, USA
| | - Sung Yon Um
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Ying Lin
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Kevin Ruiter
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Lisa Rojas
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - William A Coetzee
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, USA.,Department of Physiology and Neurosciences, NYU School of Medicine, USA
| | - Barbara A Sampson
- Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
| | - Yingying Tang
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, USA
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