Common genetic variation modulating cardiac ECG parameters and susceptibility to sudden cardiac death
January 17th, 2012 Posted by: admin
Publication year: 2012
Source: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, Available online 8 January 2012
Iris C.R.M. Kolder, Michael W.T. Tanck, Connie R. Bezzina
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a prevalentcauseof death in Western societies. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted over the last few years have uncovered common genetic variants modulating risk of SCD. Furthermore, GWAS studies uncovered several loci impacting on heart rate and ECG indices of conduction and repolarization, as measures of cardiac electrophysiological function and likely intermediate phenotypes of SCDrisk. We here review these recent developments and their implications for the identification of novel molecular pathways underlying normal electrophysiological function and susceptibility to SCD.
Highlights
► A heritable component modulates electrophysiological traits and susceptibility to SCD. ► GWAS uncovered common genetic variants at multiple loci modulating ECG indices. ► GWAS has started to uncover common genetic variants impacting on SCD risk. ► Further work is required to understand the mechanisms associated with these loci. ► Much of the heritability of these traits remains unexplained.
