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Copyright 2003 The Press Association Limited
Press Association
June 2, 2003, Monday
SECTION: HOME NEWS
LENGTH: 442 words
HEADLINE: EXPERTS FIND TEST FOR SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME
BYLINE: Julie Wheldon, Health Correspondent, PA News
BODY:
Experts have discovered a new test which will help predict who might be at
risk from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, it was announced today.
A study funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has found a way to
assess the risk of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) by measuring the amount of
"electrical disorganisation" in the heart.
The discovery means those identified as being at high risk of SADS could be
fitted with a device which could kick-start the heart, and so prevent them
dying.
It is thought about one in 500 people in the UK suffers from Hypertrophic
Cardiomyopathy which is one type of SADS and the most common cause of sudden
death in young athletes.
The study found, for the first time, that identifying this type of electrical
disturbance could help prevent SADS in people suffering from a range of
different diseases where the heart may seem otherwise normal in routine tests.
SADS occurs when the heart goes into ventricular fibrillation (VF), or
cardiac arrest, and is unable to pump blood round the body effectively.
Until now it has been difficult to assess whether someone is at risk from
sudden death because there is little understanding of the mechanisms that cause
VF.
The new research paves the way for a test so that experts can assess if
someone is at risk of SADS.
Those found to be at high risk could then be fitted with a device called an
internal cardio defibrillator, which would help prevent sudden death by
kick-starting the heart.
The study was carried out by researchers in England, Poland, the Netherlands
and France.
Lead researcher Dr Richard Saumarez, of Papworth Hospital, near Cambridge,
said: "In the past the ways of telling whether someone was at risk from the
onset of sudden death were very limited.
"This new research identifies a mechanism by which SADS occurs that can be
detected in patients at risk."
Professor Sir Charles George, Medical Director at the British Heart
Foundation, said; "This research is a significant step in the better
understanding of SADS.
"People suffering from SADS may not have any symptoms from the condition and
a fatal cardiac arrest may be the first sign that it is present in a family.
"In time this test could be used for such people and their relatives to
determine just what their real risk is and help prevent further deaths in the
family."
Alison Cox of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) said: "This is a
very exciting and important step in understanding SADS and how we can identify
those at risk.
"Any research in this area is fantastic and it will offer great reassurance
to our families that something is being done."
LOAD-DATE: June 2, 2003
Press Association
June 2, 2003, Monday
SECTION: HOME NEWS
LENGTH: 442 words
HEADLINE: EXPERTS FIND TEST FOR SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME
BYLINE: Julie Wheldon, Health Correspondent, PA News
BODY:
Experts have discovered a new test which will help predict who might be at
risk from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, it was announced today.
A study funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has found a way to
assess the risk of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) by measuring the amount of
"electrical disorganisation" in the heart.
The discovery means those identified as being at high risk of SADS could be
fitted with a device which could kick-start the heart, and so prevent them
dying.
It is thought about one in 500 people in the UK suffers from Hypertrophic
Cardiomyopathy which is one type of SADS and the most common cause of sudden
death in young athletes.
The study found, for the first time, that identifying this type of electrical
disturbance could help prevent SADS in people suffering from a range of
different diseases where the heart may seem otherwise normal in routine tests.
SADS occurs when the heart goes into ventricular fibrillation (VF), or
cardiac arrest, and is unable to pump blood round the body effectively.
Until now it has been difficult to assess whether someone is at risk from
sudden death because there is little understanding of the mechanisms that cause
VF.
The new research paves the way for a test so that experts can assess if
someone is at risk of SADS.
Those found to be at high risk could then be fitted with a device called an
internal cardio defibrillator, which would help prevent sudden death by
kick-starting the heart.
The study was carried out by researchers in England, Poland, the Netherlands
and France.
Lead researcher Dr Richard Saumarez, of Papworth Hospital, near Cambridge,
said: "In the past the ways of telling whether someone was at risk from the
onset of sudden death were very limited.
"This new research identifies a mechanism by which SADS occurs that can be
detected in patients at risk."
Professor Sir Charles George, Medical Director at the British Heart
Foundation, said; "This research is a significant step in the better
understanding of SADS.
"People suffering from SADS may not have any symptoms from the condition and
a fatal cardiac arrest may be the first sign that it is present in a family.
"In time this test could be used for such people and their relatives to
determine just what their real risk is and help prevent further deaths in the
family."
Alison Cox of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) said: "This is a
very exciting and important step in understanding SADS and how we can identify
those at risk.
"Any research in this area is fantastic and it will offer great reassurance
to our families that something is being done."
LOAD-DATE: June 2, 2003
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