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University of Auckland researchers have established a new way to identify gene mutations, which will directly lead to improved diagnosis of young people at risk of sudden cardiac death.
Currently available genetic screening tests for long QT syndrome (an inherited disorder that causes recurrent collapse and sudden death) miss about a third of cases. Researchers at The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences have recently made an important discovery that will significantly increase the diagnostic hit rate.
The research represents one of the biggest advances in the field since the discovery of the first three long QT genes over ten years ago, and will change the routine testing of this important disease. The research will be published in the September issue of Heart Rhythm.
For more information, contact
Emma Timewell, Communications Adviser at Auckland University
Ph: 09 373 7599 ext 83258 or 021 97 00 89
Email: e.timewell@auckland.ac.nz