Nearly 30% of young sudden deaths have negative autopsies and these sudden unexplained deaths (SUDs) are presumed to be due to heritable cardiac arrhythmias attributed to cardiac ion channel disorders. Comprehensive cardiac and genetic testing of families of SUD is helpful in the detection of inherited cardiac genetic conditions. It frequently provides a clue to the cause of death in SUD victims and allows early diagnosis and opportunities to prevent SUD in other family members. Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) victims and their families also require similar assessment, although the role of genetic testing in this group should be reserved to patients where a clinical diagnosis is established. A team approach with multidisciplinary specialised clinics and increased access to genetic analysis is very helpful in achieving these goals.
Copyright © 2011 Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.