Abstract
Introduction: Bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia (BBRVT) is a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia occurring secondary to macroreentry within the His-Purkinje system. Although classically associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, BBRVT may also occur in the setting of isolated, unexplained conduction system disease. Hypothesis: Idiopathic BBRVT may be secondary to genetic mutations associated with conduction system disease. Methods & Results: We identified 6 cases of BBRVT associated with normal biventricular size and function from 6 centers across North America. Study participants were screened for mutations within pre-specified genes linked to cardiac conduction system disease. Putative culprit mutations were identified in 3 of 6 cases, including 2 in SCN5A (Ala1905Gly [novel] and c.4719C>T [splice site mutation]) and 1 in LMNA (Leu327Val [novel]). Biophysical analysis of mutant Ala1905Gly Na v 1.5 channels in tsA201 cells revealed significantly reduced peak current density and positive shifts in the voltage-dependence of activation consistent with a loss-of-function. The SCN5A c.4719C>T splice-site mutation has previously been reported as disease causing in 3 cases of Brugada syndrome, while the novel LMNA Leu327Val mutation was associated with a classic laminopathy phenotype. Following catheter ablation, BBRVT was non-inducible in all cases and no clinical recurrences were observed during follow-up. Conclusions: Our investigation into apparent idiopathic BBRVT has identified the first genetic culprits for this life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. This provides further insight into its underlying pathophysiology and emphasizes that conduction system disease, in the absence of ventricular dilation, serves as a sufficient substrate for BBRVT. Our findings also highlight BBRVT as a novel genetic etiology of unexplained sudden cardiac death that can be cured with catheter ablation.
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