Medical device company Medtronic released the findings of two independent studies in which a gene has been identified to be linked to abnormal and potentially life-threatening heart rhythms.
The new studies examined various genetic markers in order to find out which specific gene abnormalities could be linked to heart rhythms that can trigger an event called sudden cardiac death (SCD).
Medtronic's first study, known as DISCOVERY, was able to pinpoint a particular gene connected to SCD in individuals fitted with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). The researchers made use of ICDs to monitor any abnormal heart rhythms in participants and then isolated a gene linked with a 50 percent increase in relative risk involving these potentially fatal heart rhythms.
The second study confirmed the results of the DISCOVERY trial through a community-based research called the Oregon-Sudden Unexpected Death Study (Oregon-SUDS) that was designed to examine the causes of sudden cardiac death.
Dr. Sumeet Chugh, lead researcher for the Oregon SUDS, said that the study is crucial to helping scientists in understanding why certain patients are more susceptible to SCD, which is considered to be one of the primary causes of deaths in the world.
Chugh added that the results bring them closer to finding out the complexities of SCD, allowing them to one day identify which specific patients are at risk of the condition.
People suffering from these irregular heart rhythms experience a sudden loss of heart function, which if not treated immediately, could lead to death.
ICDs are implantable devices that are used to monitor the patient's heart. If the device detects a severely irregular heart rhythm called ventricular arrhythmia, it immediately delivers treatment to help restore the patient's heartbeat to normal.
Professor Heiner Wieneke, lead researcher for the DISCOVERY study, said that the findings present the first instance wherein a gene was identified using ICDs and then confirmed to be linked to SCD in the general population.
Wieneke pointed out that the study is the first step to developing better methods of preventing and treating sudden cardiac death.
Medtronic said that the findings of both studies are part of the company's efforts to better identify individuals who are at risk of sudden cardiac death and provide them with the appropriate treatment that can save their lives.
The Medtronic studies are presented at the 2015 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress held in the United Kingdom.
