BACKGROUND: Retrospective investigation of sudden unexplained death in the young (SUDY) reveals that a high proportion is due to inherited heart disease. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the diagnostic value of postmortem long QT (LQT) genetic analysis in a prospective study of SUDY victims 1-40 years old. METHODS: Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography or direct sequencing of LQT genes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 was performed, in a National New Zealand protocol, in SUDY victims aged 1-40 years. RESULTS: Over 26 months (2006-2008), DNA was stored at autopsy from 52 victims of sudden unexpected death. Further testing revealed a diagnosis in 19 cases (poisoning 4, dilated cardiomyopathy 3, myocarditis 3, other 9). The remaining 33 cases underwent genetic testing (age at death 18 months-40 years, median 25 years). Eighteen (55%) died during sleep or at rest, and 7 (21%) died during light activity. Rare missense variants in LQT genes were found in 5 (15%) cases (confidence interval 3%-27%): T96R in KCNQ1 (11-year-old male), P968L in KCNH2 (32-year-old female), P2006A in SCN5A (34-year-old female), and R67H and R98W in KCNE1 (17- and 38-year-old females, respectively). Evidence of pathogenicity was provided by in vitro evidence (T96R), family phenotype-genotype co-segregation (R98W, P2006A), and/or previous reports (R67H, P968L, P2006A, R98W). Family cardiac investigation was possible in 23 (70%) families and revealed probable cause of death for 5 (15%) other victims (confidence interval 3%-27%). CONCLUSION: Most community SUDY occurs at rest or during light activity. A diagnostic rate of 15% supports the transition of LQT genetic autopsy, combined with family investigation, into routine medical practice.
BACKGROUND: Retrospective investigation of sudden unexplained death in the young (SUDY) reveals that a high proportion is due to inherited heart disease. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the diagnostic value of postmortem long QT (LQT) genetic analysis in a prospective study of SUDY victims 1-40 years old. METHODS: Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography or direct sequencing of LQT genes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 was performed, in a National New Zealand protocol, in SUDY victims aged 1-40 years. RESULTS: Over 26 months (2006-2008), DNA was stored at autopsy from 52 victims of sudden unexpected death. Further testing revealed a diagnosis in 19 cases (poisoning 4, dilated cardiomyopathy 3, myocarditis 3, other 9). The remaining 33 cases underwent genetic testing (age at death 18 months-40 years, median 25 years). Eighteen (55%) died during sleep or at rest, and 7 (21%) died during light activity. Rare missense variants in LQT genes were found in 5 (15%) cases (confidence interval 3%-27%): T96R in KCNQ1 (11-year-old male), P968L in KCNH2 (32-year-old female), P2006A in SCN5A (34-year-old female), and R67H and R98W in KCNE1 (17- and 38-year-old females, respectively). Evidence of pathogenicity was provided by in vitro evidence (T96R), family phenotype-genotype co-segregation (R98W, P2006A), and/or previous reports (R67H, P968L, P2006A, R98W). Family cardiac investigation was possible in 23 (70%) families and revealed probable cause of death for 5 (15%) other victims (confidence interval 3%-27%). CONCLUSION: Most community SUDY occurs at rest or during light activity. A diagnostic rate of 15% supports the transition of LQT genetic autopsy, combined with family investigation, into routine medical practice.
Authors: David J Tester; Argelia Medeiros-Domingo; Melissa L Will; Carla M Haglund; Michael J Ackerman Journal: Mayo Clin Proc Date: 2012-06 Impact factor: 7.616
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Authors: C L Hertz; S L Christiansen; L Ferrero-Miliani; M Dahl; P E Weeke; G L Ottesen; R Frank-Hansen; H Bundgaard; N Morling Journal: Int J Legal Med Date: 2015-09-17 Impact factor: 2.686