The study is the second report from the registry of families who attended the Amsterdam centre's cardiogenetics department because of unexplained sudden death of a relative aged 1-50 years. The scientists intend to continue to report the yield of family screening in an increasing number of families.

"At present we are conducting a study to stimulate general practitioners and other involved physicians to request autopsy and DNA-storage for SUD patients and to refer relatives to a cardiogenetics department after a case of sudden death at young age. We hope this will lead to identification of more families at risk of sudden cardiac death, in which preventive measures then can be taken" said Dr. van der Werf.

"Relatives of young sudden death victims are often referred to cardiologists for cardiological examination. We believe relatives should instead be referred to cardiogenetics departments, where clinical geneticists, cardiologists and psychosocial workers cooperate. These professionals specialise in inherited heart diseases and their clinical and psychosocial implications, and can provide a better quality of care. Additionally, cardiologists should receive more education in inherited heart diseases. By taking these measures we can save lives and avoid further distress for families who have already suffered enough," he said.

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