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Cazzato F, Coll M, Grassi S, Fernàndez-Falgueras A, Nogué-Navarro L, Iglesias A, Castellà J, Oliva A, Brugada R. Investigating cardiac genetic background in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03264-6. [PMID: 38849547 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03264-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is still the leading cause of death for newborns in developed countries. The pathophysiological mechanisms have not been fully clarified, but in some of SIDS cases variants of genes associated with inherited cardiac conditions are found. In this study, an analysis of SCD-related genes was performed to determine the prevalence of rare pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) variants that could provide an unambiguous explanation for the fatal event. A cohort of 76 SIDS cases underwent Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis with a custom panel of SCD-related genes. Rare variants were classified according to the guidelines provided by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the specifications of the ClinGen association. Post-mortem genetic testing identified 50 (65.8%) carriers of at least one variant in SCD genes. 104 rare genetic variants were found, 65.4% in genes encoding structural proteins. Only 4 out of 76 cases (5.3%) hosted at least a P or LP variant found in genes with structural or structural/arrhythmogenic functions (SLC22A5, SCN5A, MYL3and TTN). 99 variants were classified as of uncertain significance (VUS). The difference in the distribution of variants between gene groups by function was not statistically significant (chi square, p = 0,219). Despite this, most of the variants concerned structural genes that were supposed to have a close interaction with ion channels, thus providing an explanation for the arrhythmic event. Segregation analysis, reclassification of VUS variants and identification of new associated genes could clarify the implications of the current findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cazzato
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Mònica Coll
- Cardiovascular Genetics Centre, University of Girona-IDIBGI, 17190, Salt, Spain
| | - Simone Grassi
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Forensic Medical Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | | | - Laia Nogué-Navarro
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic 08500, Can Baumann, Spain
| | - Anna Iglesias
- Cardiovascular Genetics Centre, University of Girona-IDIBGI, 17190, Salt, Spain
| | - Josep Castellà
- Forensic Pathology Service, Institut Medicina Legal Ciències Mèdiques Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Oliva
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Cardiovascular Genetics Centre, University of Girona-IDIBGI, 17190, Salt, Spain
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitari Doctor Josep Trueta, 17003, Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003, Girona, Spain
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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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Callon D, Joanne P, Andreoletti L, Agbulut O, Chevalier P, Fornès P. Viral myocarditis in combination with genetic cardiomyopathy as a cause of sudden death. An autopsy series. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2024; 24:282. [PMID: 38811883 PMCID: PMC11134698 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03913-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major public health issue worldwide. In the young (< 40 years of age), genetic cardiomyopathies and viral myocarditis, sometimes in combination, are the most frequent, but underestimated, causes of SCD. Molecular autopsy is essential for prevention. Several studies have shown an association between genetic cardiomyopathies and viral myocarditis, which is probably underestimated due to insufficient post-mortem investigations. We report on four autopsy cases illustrating the pathogenesis of these combined pathologies. In two cases, a genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in combination with Herpes Virus Type 6 (HHV6) and/or Parvovirus-B19 (PVB19) in the heart. In the third case, autopsy revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy and virological analyses revealed acute myocarditis caused by three viruses: PVB19, HHV6 and Epstein-Barr virus. Genetic analyses revealed a mutation in the gene coding for desmin. The fourth case illustrated a channelopathy and a PVB19/HHV6 coinfection. Our four cases illustrate the highly probable deleterious role of cardiotropic viruses in the occurrence of SCD in subjects with genetic cardiomyopathies. We discuss the pathogenetic link between viral myocarditis and genetic cardiomyopathy. Molecular autopsy is essential in prevention of these SCD, and a close collaboration between cardiologists, pathologists, microbiologists and geneticians is mandatory.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Young Adult
- Autopsy
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/virology
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/pathology
- Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/genetics
- Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/pathology
- Cause of Death
- Coinfection
- Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology
- Death, Sudden, Cardiac/pathology
- Death, Sudden, Cardiac/prevention & control
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications
- Fatal Outcome
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 6, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 6, Human/isolation & purification
- Mutation
- Myocarditis/virology
- Myocarditis/pathology
- Myocarditis/genetics
- Parvoviridae Infections/complications
- Parvovirus B19, Human/genetics
- Roseolovirus Infections/complications
- Roseolovirus Infections/virology
- Roseolovirus Infections/diagnosis
- Roseolovirus Infections/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Domitille Callon
- University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, INSERM, UMR-S1320 Cardiovir, Reims, France.
- Biology Institute of Paris-Seine (IBPS), Biological Adaptation and Ageing, Sorbonne University, UMR CNRS 8256, INSERM U1164, Paris, France.
- Forensic and Pathology Departments, Academic Hospital of Reims, Reims, France.
| | - Pierre Joanne
- Biology Institute of Paris-Seine (IBPS), Biological Adaptation and Ageing, Sorbonne University, UMR CNRS 8256, INSERM U1164, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Andreoletti
- University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, INSERM, UMR-S1320 Cardiovir, Reims, France
- Virology Department, Academic Hospital of Reims, Reims, France
| | - Onnik Agbulut
- Biology Institute of Paris-Seine (IBPS), Biological Adaptation and Ageing, Sorbonne University, UMR CNRS 8256, INSERM U1164, Paris, France
| | | | - Paul Fornès
- University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, INSERM, UMR-S1320 Cardiovir, Reims, France
- Forensic and Pathology Departments, Academic Hospital of Reims, Reims, France
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Moore P, Murdock P, Ramanathan A, Sathyamoorthy M. A Contemporary Review of the Genomic Associations of Coronary Artery Myocardial Bridging. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2175. [PMID: 38136997 PMCID: PMC10871102 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary artery anomaly that has limited molecular disease state characterization. Though a large portion of individuals may be asymptomatic, the myocardial ischemia caused by this anomaly can lead to angina, acute coronary syndrome, coronary artery disease, and sudden cardiac death in patients. OBJECTIVE This study aims to summarize and consolidate the current literature regarding the genomic associations of myocardial bridge development and, in doing so, prompt further investigation into the molecular basis of myocardial bridge development. METHODS We performed a systematic literature review of myocardial bridging using the key search terms "Myocardial Bridging" AND ("Gene" OR "Allelic Variants" OR "Genomic") in the databases of PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochran. We then performed a detailed review of the resulting abstracts and a full-text screening, summarizing these findings in this report. RESULTS In total, we identified eight articles discussing the associated genomics behind MB development. Studies included review articles, case reports and genomic studies that led to the discussion of several genes: DES (E434K), FBN1 (I1175M), and COMMD10; MACROD2, SLMAP, MYH7 (A1157G), and DPP6 (A714T); MYH7 (A862V); SCN2B (E31D); and NOTCH1 (R2313Q), and to the discussion of miRNAs (miR-29b, miR-151-3p, miR-126, miR-503-3p, and miR-645). CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to summarize the genes and molecular regulators related to myocardial bridges as they exist in the current literature. This work concludes that definitive evidence is lacking, warranting much broader genetic and genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton Moore
- Sathyamoorthy Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, Fort Worth, TX 76123, USA
| | - Paul Murdock
- Sathyamoorthy Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, Fort Worth, TX 76123, USA
| | - Akash Ramanathan
- Sathyamoorthy Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, Fort Worth, TX 76123, USA
| | - Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy
- Sathyamoorthy Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, Fort Worth, TX 76123, USA
- Consultants in Cardiovascular Medicine and Science—Fort Worth, PLLC, 1121 5th Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA
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Takahashi Y, Fukuda H, Hayakawa A, Sano R, Kubo R, Kawabata-Iwakawa R, Nakajima T, Ishige T, Tokue H, Asano K, Seki T, Hsiao YY, Ishizawa F, Takei H, Kominato Y. Postmortem genetic analysis of 17 sudden cardiac deaths identified nonsense and frameshift variants in two cases of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:1927-1937. [PMID: 37328711 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03037-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sudden death, or unexpected natural death of a healthy individual, is a serious problem in all nations. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) mainly due to ischemic heart diseases is the top cause of sudden death. However, there are pathophysiological conditions, referred to as sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, in which no apparent lesion can be identified even after complete conventional or ordinary autopsy. While postmortem genetic analyses have accumulated evidence about underlying genetic abnormality in such cases, the precise relationships between genetic background and the phenotype have been largely elusive. In this study, a retrospective investigation of 17 autopsy cases in which lethal arrhythmia was suspected to be the cause of death was carried out. Genetic analysis focusing on 72 genes reported to be associated with cardiac dysfunctions was performed, in combination with detailed histopathological and postmortem imaging examination, and a family study. As a result, in two cases of suspected arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), we found a nonsense variant in PKP2 and frameshift variant in TRPM4 gene. In contrast, the other 15 cases showed no morphological changes in the heart despite the presence of a frameshift variant and several missense variants, leaving the clinical significance of these variants obscure. The findings of the present study suggest that nonsense and frameshift variants could be involved in the morphological abnormality in cases of SCD due to ACM, while missense variants alone rarely contribute to massive structural changes in the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichiro Takahashi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
- Department of Legal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.
| | - Haruki Fukuda
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Akira Hayakawa
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Rie Sano
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Rieko Kubo
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Reika Kawabata-Iwakawa
- Division of Integrated Oncology Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Tadashi Nakajima
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takashi Ishige
- Department of Pediatrics, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tokue
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Kazuya Asano
- Department of Radiology, Gunma University Hospital, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Seki
- Department of Legal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yi-Yang Hsiao
- Department of Legal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Fujio Ishizawa
- Department of Legal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takei
- Department of Radiology, Gunma University Hospital, Maebashi, Japan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Tsukuba International University, Tsuchiura, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Kominato
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
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Chen L, Yu WY, Liu R, Gao MX, Wang BL, Ding XH, Yu Y. A bibliometric analysis on the progress of myocardial bridge from 1980 to 2022. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:1051383. [PMID: 36684604 PMCID: PMC9853984 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1051383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although the vast majority of patients with a myocardial bridge (MB) are asymptomatic, the anomaly was found to be associated with stable or unstable angina, vasospastic angina, acute coronary syndrome, and even malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in some cases. Methods By retrieving the relevant literature on MB from 1 January 1980 to 31 July 2022 from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database, we used the bibliometric tools, including CiteSpace, VOS viewer, and alluvial generator, to visualize the scientific achievements on MB. Results A total of 630 articles were included. The number of published articles was in a fluctuating growth trend. These publications came from 37 contries, led by the USA and China. The leading country on MB was the United States, the leading position among institutions was Stanford University, and the most productive researcher on MB was Jennifer A. Tremmel. After analysis, the most common keywords were myocardial bridge, mortality, coronary angiography, descending coronary artery, and sudden death. Conclusion Our findings can aid researchers in understanding the current state of MB research and in choosing fresh lines of inquiry for forthcoming investigations. Prevalence and prognosis, mechanism atherosclerosis, hemodynamic significance, and molecular autops will likely become the focus of future research. In addition, more studies and cooperations are still needed worldwide.
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Grassi S, Campuzano O, Coll M, Cazzato F, Iglesias A, Ausania F, Scarnicci F, Sarquella-Brugada G, Brugada J, Arena V, Oliva A, Brugada R. Eosinophilic Infiltration of the Sino-Atrial Node in Sudden Cardiac Death Caused by Long QT Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11666. [PMID: 36232963 PMCID: PMC9569895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden death is defined as the unexpected death of a healthy person that occurs within the first hour of the onset of symptoms or within 24 h of the victim being last seen alive. In some of these cases, rare deleterious variants of genes associated with inherited cardiac disorders can provide a highly probable explanation for the fatal event. We report the case of a 21-year-old obese woman who lost consciousness suddenly in a public place and was pronounced dead after hospital admission. Clinical autopsy showed an inconclusive gross examination, while in the histopathological analysis an eosinophilic inflammatory focus and interstitial fibrosis in the sino-atrial node were found. Molecular autopsy revealed an intronic variant in the KCNQ1 gene (c.683 + 5G > A), classified as likely pathogenic for long QT syndrome according to the guidelines provided by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Therefore, there were many anomalies that could have played a role in the causation of the sudden death, such as the extreme obesity, the cardiac anomalies and the KNCQ1 variant. This case depicts the difficult interpretation of rare cardiac structural abnormalities in subjects carrying rare variants responsible for inherited arrhythmic disorders and the challenge for the forensic pathologist to make causal inferences in the determinism of the unexpected decease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Grassi
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Forensic Medical Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Girona (IDIBGI), University of Girona, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Mònica Coll
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Girona (IDIBGI), University of Girona, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Francesca Cazzato
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Iglesias
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Girona (IDIBGI), University of Girona, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Francesco Ausania
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, 37122 Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Scarnicci
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Pediatric Arrhythmias, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Cardiology Department, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital de Barcelona, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart (ERN GUARD-Heart), 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Arrítmies Pediàtriques, Cardiologia Genètica i Mort Sobtada, Malalties Cardiovasculars en el Desenvolupament, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Brugada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Arrhythmias, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Cardiology Department, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital de Barcelona, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart (ERN GUARD-Heart), 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Arrítmies Pediàtriques, Cardiologia Genètica i Mort Sobtada, Malalties Cardiovasculars en el Desenvolupament, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona-IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00147 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Oliva
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Girona (IDIBGI), University of Girona, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Cardiology Service, Hospital Josep Trueta, University of Girona, 17007 Girona, Spain
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Structural Heart Alterations in Brugada Syndrome: Is it Really a Channelopathy? A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154406. [PMID: 35956023 PMCID: PMC9368908 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is classified as an inherited cardiac channelopathy attributed to dysfunctional ion channels and/or associated proteins in cardiomyocytes rather than to structural heart alterations. However, hearts of some BrS patients exhibit slight histologic abnormalities, suggesting that BrS could be a phenotypic variant of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. We performed a systematic review of the literature following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA) criteria. Our comprehensive analysis of structural findings did not reveal enough definitive evidence for reclassification of BrS as a cardiomyopathy. The collection and comprehensive analysis of new cases with a definitive BrS diagnosis are needed to clarify whether some of these structural features may have key roles in the pathophysiological pathways associated with malignant arrhythmogenic episodes.
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Molecular Autopsy of Sudden Cardiac Death in the Genomics Era. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081378. [PMID: 34441312 PMCID: PMC8394514 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular autopsy is the process of investigating sudden death through genetic analysis. It is particularly useful in cases where traditional autopsy is negative or only shows non-diagnostic features, i.e., in sudden unexplained deaths (SUDs), which are often due to an underlying inherited arrhythmogenic cardiac disease. The final goal of molecular autopsy in SUD cases is to aid medico-legal inquiries and to guide cascade genetic screening of the victim’s relatives. Early attempts of molecular autopsy relied on Sanger sequencing, which, despite being accurate and easy to use, has a low throughput and can only be employed to analyse a small panel of genes. Conversely, the recent adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has allowed exome/genome wide examination, providing an increase in detection of pathogenic variants and the discovery of newer genotype-phenotype associations. NGS has nonetheless brought new challenges to molecular autopsy, especially regarding the clinical interpretation of the large number of variants of unknown significance detected in each individual.
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Sudden Unexpected Death Associated with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Study of the Cardiac Conduction System. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081323. [PMID: 34441258 PMCID: PMC8392334 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A retrospective study was conducted on pathologically diagnosed arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) from consecutive cases over the past 34 years (n = 1109). The anatomo-pathological analyses were performed on 23 hearts diagnosed as ACM (2.07%) from a series of 1109 suspected cases, while histopathological data of cardiac conduction system (CCS) were available for 15 out of 23 cases. The CCS was removed in two blocks, containing the following structures: Sino-atrial node (SAN), atrio-ventricular junction (AVJ) including the atrio-ventricular node (AVN), the His bundle (HB), the bifurcation (BIF), the left bundle branch (LBB) and the right bundle branch (RBB). The ACM cases consisted of 20 (86.96%) sudden unexpected cardiac death (SUCD) and 3 (13.04%) native explanted hearts; 16 (69.56%) were males and 7 (30.44%) were females, ranging in age from 5 to 65 (mean age ± SD, 36.13 ± 16.06) years. The following anomalies of the CCS, displayed as percentages of the 15 ACM SUCD cases in which the CCS has been fully analyzed, have been detected: Hypoplasia of SAN (80%) and/or AVJ (86.67%) due to fatty-fibrous involvement, AVJ dispersion and/or septation (46.67%), central fibrous body (CFB) hypoplasia (33.33%), fibromuscular dysplasia of SAN (20%) and/or AVN (26.67%) arteries, hemorrhage and infarct-like lesions of CCS (13.33%), islands of conduction tissue in CFB (13.33%), Mahaim fibers (13.33%), LBB block by fibrosis (13.33%), AVN tongue (13.33%), HB duplicity (6.67%%), CFB cartilaginous meta-hyperplasia (6.67%), and right sided HB (6.67%). Arrhythmias are the hallmark of ACM, not only from the fatty-fibrous disruption of the ventricular myocardium that accounts for reentrant ventricular tachycardia, but also from the fatty-fibrous involvement of CCS itself. Future research should focus on application of these knowledge on CCS anomalies to be added to diagnostic criteria or at least to be useful to detect the patients with higher sudden death risks.
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