Sudden cardiac death in young adults: environmental risk factors and genetic aspects of premature atherosclerosis

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Maiken K Larsen
  • Peter H Nissen
  • Ingrid B Kristensen
  • Henrik K Jensen
  • Banner, Jytte
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder that may lead to premature coronary heart disease (CHD) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Mutations in the LDLR or APOB genes cause FH. We have screened the LDLR and the ligand-binding region of APOB genes in 52 cases of SCD. Deceased patients were younger than 40 years of age and were suspected of having FH. The LDLR and APOB genes were examined via PCR, high-resolution melting, and DNA sequencing. Therein, it was observed that 7.7% of the screened patients exhibited a rare sequence variant in the LDLR gene, with 5.7% suspected of being pathogenic mutations. Lipid profiles and genetic testing for FH could be considered when autopsy reveals significant atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries in young adults. First-degree family members are advised to seek medical advice and testing to determine their own risks of atherosclerosis to prevent premature CHD and SCD.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences
Volume57
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)658-62
Number of pages5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2012

    Research areas

  • Adolescent, Adult, Apolipoproteins B, Coronary Artery Disease, Coronary Vessels, Death, Sudden, Cardiac, Denmark, Exons, Female, Forensic Genetics, Forensic Pathology, Genetic Testing, Humans, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II, Hypertension, Introns, Male, Mutation, Myocardial Infarction, Myocardium, Overweight, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Receptors, LDL, Risk Factors, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Young Adult

ID: 46807310