Researchers identify the genotype of disorders causing cardiac sudden death syndrome.

Summary: Researchers at the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves of the Unversity of Granada in Spain have identified the most frequent mutations in the gene KCNH2 in patients with long QT syndrome. Long Qt syndrome is a disorder that approximately affects one in every 2,500 people. It may cause episodes which can trigger sudden death. This condition usually affects children and adolescents and may led to a misdiagnosis of epilepsy. Although the results obtained are of great significance, the researchers warn about the fact that "this study is just an initial experience in our country, and it only describes the genotype profile of a small sample of patients. A multicenter study will be necessary to obtain larger groups and draw conclusions that can be extrapolated to the general population"

Opinion: I find the research that the university of Granada to be a good thing. The fact that this condition usually affects children and adolesents is kind of scary. This means that a teen could be living with this not know it and suddenly die. It makes me wonder if we're doing anything in the united states if this is so serious as sudden death. I definetly feel like long QT syndrome should be followed a lot closer and be studied in all the major hospitals because one in 2,500 people have it and it should taken care of a little better.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/02/09/researchers_identify_the_genotype_of_disorders_causing_cardiac_sudden_death_syndrome.html

                                                                                                                                     bianca brailey