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New sudden cardiac death database to save lives

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 7 November 2008

A database launched today will help identify the incidence and causes of sudden cardiac death and save the lives of people who may currently be at risk from the inherited heart condition that can strike without warning, the Department of Health announced today.

Designed by pathologists and cardiologists, and funded by the Department of Health, the database will be a key tool in understanding the incidence and causes of inheritable conditions that can cause sudden cardiac death.

Sudden cardiac death can happen unexpectedly in apparently fit and healthy people. The main cause for those under the age of 35 is an inheritable heart condition.

The new database will help pathologists record cases referred to them by coroners. This information will ultimately allow doctors to understand better where and why these inheritable heart conditions are occurring, and so help save lives.

With a greater knowledge of the incidence, prevalence and causes of sudden cardiac death, doctors will be able to identify better people at risk from one of these conditions and help them get access to the services they need. Close family members of victims of sudden cardiac death will be referred to specialist inherited cardiac conditions centres where they will be offered counselling and support.

Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke said:

"This database will provide invaluable information for doctors on the causes, incidence and prevalence of sudden cardiac death. As well as improving our understanding of inherited cardiovascular disease it will actually save lives by identifying young victims of sudden cardiac death and helping their families reduce their own risk."

Health Minister Ann Keen said:

"Today's announcement shows that the Government is continuing to build on the very significant progress already made in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. We met our pledge to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease by 40 per cent five years earlier than the 2010 target and are committed to going still further.

"By funding this database, the Department of Health is committing to recommendations in the Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) National Service Framework (NSF) to reduce mortality from sudden cardiac death and improve services for families who have had the tragic experience of losing a close relative."

Patrick Gallagher, Co-chair of the UK Cardiac Pathology Network (UKCPN) said:

"This is a most welcome development. Pathologists obtain important information from careful post mortem examination of young sudden death victims. This database will ensure that this information is recorded and retained centrally. It is important that details of the post mortem examination are available to cardiologists and geneticists who will be investigating relatives of sudden death victims."

Notes to editors:

1. For media enquiries only contact the Department of Health Media Centre on tel: 020 7210 5221

2. The UK Cardiac Pathology Steering Group will encourage all pathologists in the UK Cardiac Pathology Network (UKCPN) to use the database from today.

3. In most middle-aged and older adults, sudden cardiac death is caused by coronary artery disease. In individuals aged less than 35 years, it is frequently caused by inherited disorders of cardiac muscle (cardiomyopathy) and cardiac rhythm (ion channelopathies).

4. Funded by the Department of Health, the database has been designed for use by all cardiac pathologists in the UK Cardiac Pathology Network (UKCPN).

5. By funding this new database, the Department of Health is meeting a key recommendation in Chapter 8 of the Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework (Chapter 8) to reduce mortality from sudden cardiac death and improve services for families who have lost a close relative.

6.Chapter 8, launched in 2005, emphasises the importance of family assessment when a sudden cardiac death occurs in a young person.

7. The UK Cardiac Pathology Network (UKCPN) has recently been established to develop a network of pathologists to provide local coroners with an expert cardiac pathology service, and promote best pathological practice in sudden death cases.

8. The database cost around £35,000 to establish.

9. Sudden cardiac death kills around 500-600 people under the age of 35 each year.