This study provides valuable insights into genetic testing approaches in the inherited cardiac diseases, and the beneficial impact a positive gene result can have on diagnosis, clinical management, and predictive testing in the family.
Coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) are used to help assess patients’ cardiovascular status and risk. However, their best use in risk assessment beyond traditional cardiovascular factors in primary prevention is uncertain.
Forensic investigations are recommended following sudden cardiac death (SCD) to determine cause of death and identify living relatives at potential risk. Not all young SCD patients are referred to coronial services. The purpose of this study was to identify referral rates, predictors, and outcomes of young [...]
This study aimed to explore the impact of health literacy on psychosocial and behavioural outcomes for people who were not at high risk of cardiovascular disease receiving a hypothetical blood pressure reading of 135/85 mmHg. We performed a secondary analysis of data from a national sample [...]
Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is characterised by a bi-layered myocardium, with excessive left ventricular (LV) trabeculation. Ongoing debate exists as to whether LVNC in adults is a distinct cardiomyopathy, or a morphological feature of ventricular remodelling present in physiological and pathological states. In this commentary, [...]
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) ensures a disease-causing variant is not passed to the next generation, including for inherited heart diseases. PGD is known to cause significant emotional burden, but little is known about how parents experience PGD to select against inherited heart disease. We aim [...]
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk communication is a challenge for clinical practice, where physicians find it difficult to explain the absolute risk of a CVD event to patients with varying health literacy. Converting the probability to heart age is increasingly used to promote lifestyle change, but [...]
Since the inception of PHNs in Australia, their role in implementing chronic disease prevention activities in general practice has been unclear. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the views of PHN staff on the role of PHNs in promoting prevention, with a focus on cardiovascular [...]
Risk stratification algorithms for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and regional differences in clinical practice have evolved over time. We sought to compare primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation rates and associated clinical outcomes in US vs. non-US tertiary HCM centres [...]
Genetic testing is used to optimise the management of inherited cardiovascular disorders that can cause sudden cardiac death. Yet more genotype–phenotype correlation studies from populations not ascertained on clinical symptoms or family history of disease are required to improve understanding of gene penetrance. We performed [...]