New blood test identifies risk “Sudden Cardiac Death”
UAntwerp (University of Antwerp), UZA (Antwerp University Hospital), and Multiplicom NV together developed a blood test to determine the genetic risk of “Sudden Cardiac Death” (SCD). This test, called PED MASTR, is already in use at the center of medical genetics of UZA/UAntwerp and will be launched worldwide from September 2014.
SCD, which affects one in a thousand people, can be reduced with the PED MASTR. Especially young, seemingly healthy individuals are affected by SCD, as indicated by the regular reports of the unexpected death of young athletes during a sports competition or – training.
The heart rhythm abnormalities linked with these deaths are unfortunately difficult to detect, even for cardiologists. Genetic predisposition plays an important role as family members of affected individuals have a 50% risk of inheriting the same genetic predisposition to develop cardiac disease.
Early detection of hereditary heart disease in high-risk families can save lives. With the development of the PED MASTR it has become feasible and fast to fully analyze the high number of genes involved for SCD causing mutations.
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