Cardiogenetics and sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death due to cardiac arrhythmia is one of the most common causes of death in Norway. In young people it is often caused by a hereditary heart disease.

The group is researching methods which can contribute to further mapping and treatment of patients suffering from hereditary heart disease.

Prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major challenge in cardiology. Mechanical Dispersion (MD) assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography can predict risk of SCD in several cardiac diseases.

Young individuals with cardiac genetic diseases are predisposed to SCD, and risk stratification is vital in these patients. Ongoing research is focusing on characterization of cardiac function and prediction of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in patients at risk of SCD.

Better risk assessment will provide a stronger selection of patients with high risk of death. At-risk individuals may receive preventive drug treatment, and those at high risk may receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Visit also: ProCardio Center for Innovation
ProCardio is a center for research-based innovation, lead by professor Kristina Haugaa.