Why do we need genetics in cardiac rhythmology?

Abstract

Avariety of arrhythmogenic cardiac diseases such as channelopathies and cardiomyopathies are caused by genetic alterations. In patients with these diseases, malignant arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death frequently manifest already during young adulthood. Early recognition, risk stratification and adequate therapy is therefore essential to avoid sudden cardiac death. This review summarizes the implications of genetic testing for diagnosis, risk stratification and therapy of patients with cardiac channelopathies (long-QT syndrome, short-QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia) and inherited cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic, dilatative or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy).