B-AB13-04 A PATIENT-SPECIFIC RE-ENGINEERED CARDIOMYOCYTE MODEL CONFIRMS THE CIRCUMSTANCE-DEPENDENT ARRHYTHMIA RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE AFRICAN-SPECIFIC COMMON SCN5A POLYMORPHISM (P.SER1103TYR): IMPLICATIONS FOR THE INCREASED SUDDEN DEATHS OBSERVED IN BLACKS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, many cities throughout the world observed a marked increase in sudden cardiac death (SCD). The p.S1103Y-SCN5A common variant, present in ∼8-10% of individuals of African descent, may be a circumstance-dependent, SCD-predisposing, pro-arrhythmic polymorphism in the setting of hypoxia-induced acidosis or QT-prolonging drug use.