Influence of age and sex on the diagnostic yield of inherited cardiac conditions in sudden arrhythmic death syndrome decedents.

Aims: Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) refers to a sudden death, which remains unexplained despite comprehensive post-mortem examination and a toxicological screen. We aimed to investigate the impact of age and sex on the overall diagnostic yield and underlying aetiology in decedents with SADS using a combined approach of familial evaluation (FE) and molecular autopsy (MA).

Methods And Results: Consecutive referrals to a single centre for FE only, MA only or both, following a SADS death were included.

The Professional Identity of STEM Faculty as Instructors of Course-based Research Experiences.

The professional identity of scientists has historically been cultivated to value research over teaching, which can undermine initiatives that aim to reform science education. Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE) and the inclusive Research and Education Communities (iREC) are two successful and impactful reform efforts that integrate research and teaching. The aim of this study is to explicate the professional identity of instructors who implement a CRE within an established iREC and to explore how this identity contributes to the success of these programs.

Selective Bilateral Posterior Canal Dysfunction: A Case Series Investigation into the Clinical Trends and Associative Factors.

Background:  The video head impulse test measures high-frequency vestibulo-ocular function of all six semicircular canals. Isolated semicircular canal dysfunction has been correlated with several peripheral and central vestibular etiologies. Selective bilateral posterior canal dysfunction is a trend seen in the clinical setting but less commonly reported in the medical literature.

Integration of genetic testing into diagnostic pathways for cardiomyopathies: a clinical consensus statement by the ESC Council on Cardiovascular Genomics.

In the modern era, cardiologists managing patients and families with cardiomyopathies need to be familiar with every stage of the diagnostic pathway from clinical phenotyping to the prescription and interpretation of genetic tests. This clinical consensus statement from the ESC Council for Cardiovascular Genomics aims to promote the integration of genetic testing into routine cardiac care of patients with cardiomyopathies, as recommended in the 2023 ESC guidelines for cardiomyopathies. The document describes the types of genetic tests currently available and provides advice on their prescription and for counselling after the return of genetic findings, including the approach in patients and families with variants of unknown significance.

The Impact of Coronary Ischemia Assessment on Outcomes in Those With Scar-Dependent Ventricular Tachycardia.

Background: Guidance and outcomes of coronary ischemia assessment (IA) in those with structural heart disease (SHD), presenting with monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MMVT) is unclear.

Objectives: To assess the impact of IA on arrhythmic and non-arrhythmic outcomes in those with SHD.

Methods: Patients presenting with MMVT over a 6-year period to a tertiary center were retrospectively analyzed.

Ethnicity and sudden cardiac death in athletes: insights from a large United Kingdom registry.

Aims: The relationship between ethnicity and causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes is poorly understood.

Objectives: To investigate aetiology of SCD among different ethnicities in a large cohort of athletes.

Methods And Results: Between 1994 and November 2022, 7880 cases of SCD were consecutively referred from all over the United Kingdom to our national cardiac pathology centre; 848 (11%) were athletes.

The role for ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring in the diagnosis and prognostication of Brugada syndrome: a sub-study of the Rare Arrhythmia Syndrome Evaluation (RASE) Brugada study.

Aims: Brugada syndrome (BrS) diagnosis and risk stratification rely on the presence of a spontaneous type 1 (spT1) electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern; however, its spontaneous fluctuations may lead to misdiagnosis and risk underestimation. This study aims to assess the role for repeat high precordial lead (HPL) resting and ambulatory ECG monitoring in identifying a spT1, and evaluate its prognostic role.

Methods And Results: HPL resting and ambulatory monitoring ECGs of BrS subjects were reviewed retrospectively, and the presence of a spT1 associated with ventricular dysrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Arrhythmia detection using an implantable loop recorder after a negative electrophysiology study in Brugada syndrome: Observations from a multicenter international registry.

Background: Risk stratification in Brugada syndrome (BrS) remains controversial. In this respect, the role of the electrophysiology study (EPS) has been a subject of debate. In some centers, it is common practice to use an implantable loop recorder (ILR) after a negative EPS to help in risk stratification.

Mitral annular disjunction in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation patients: just a bystander or a potential cause?

Aims: Previously, we demonstrated that inferolateral mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is more prevalent in patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) than in healthy controls. In the present study, we advanced the insights into the prevalence and ventricular arrhythmogenicity by inferolateral MAD in an even larger IVF cohort.

Methods And Results: This retrospective multi-centre study included 185 IVF patients [median age 39 (27, 52) years, 40% female].

Insights into adherence to medication and lifestyle recommendations in an international cohort of patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Aims: In patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a rare inherited arrhythmia syndrome, arrhythmic events can be prevented by medication and lifestyle recommendations. In patients who experience breakthrough arrhythmic events, non-adherence plays an essential role. We aimed to investigate the incidence and potential reasons for non-adherence to medication and lifestyle recommendations in a large, international cohort of patients with CPVT.

Yield of molecular autopsy in sudden cardiac death in athletes: data from a large registry in the UK.

Aims: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) may occur in apparently healthy individuals, including athletes. The aim was to investigate the diagnostic role of post-mortem genetic testing, molecular autopsy (MA), in elucidating the cause of SCD in athletes.

Methods And Results: We reviewed a database of 6860 consecutive cases of SCD referred to our specialist cardiac pathology centre.

Seasonal Variation in Sudden Cardiac Death: Insights from a Large United Kingdom Registry.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is relatively common and may occur in apparently healthy individuals. The role of seasonal variation as a risk factor for SCD is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SCD exhibits a predilection for specific seasons.