Genetic and molecular basis of cardiac arrhythmias: Impact on clinical management parts I and II

Genetic approaches have succeeded in defining the molecular basis of an inc reasing array of heart diseases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and th e long-QT syndromes, associated with serious arrhythmias. Importantly, the way in which this new knowledge can be applied to managing patients and to the development of syndrome-specific antiarrhythmic strategies is evolving rapidly because of these recent advances, In addition, the extent to which new knowledge represents a purely research tool versus the extent to which it can be applied clinically is also evolving. The present article represen ts a consensus report of a meeting of the European Working Group on Arrythm ias. The current state of the art of the molecular and genetic basis of inh erited arrhythmias is first reviewed, followed by practical advice on the r ole of genetic testing in these and other syndromes and the way in which ne w findings have influenced current understanding of the molecular and bioph ysical basis of arrhythmogenesis.