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01-09-2017 | Original Article

Postmortem genetic testing should be recommended in sudden cardiac death cases due to thoracic aortic dissection

Authors: Marina Gago-Díaz, Eva Ramos-Luis, Silvia Zoppis, Esther Zorio, Pilar Molina, Aitana Braza-Boïls, Juan Giner, Beatriz Sobrino, Jorge Amigo, Alejandro Blanco-Verea, Ángel Carracedo, María Brion

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 5/2017

Abstract

Background

Acute thoracic aortic dissections and ruptures, the main life-threatening complications of the corresponding aneurysms, are an important cause of sudden cardiac death. Despite the usefulness of the molecular diagnosis of these conditions in the clinical setting, the corresponding forensic field remains largely unexplored. The main goal of this study was to explore and validate a new massive parallel sequencing candidate gene assay as a diagnostic tool for acute thoracic aortic dissection autopsy cases.

Materials and methods

Massive parallel sequencing of 22 thoracic aortic disease candidate genes performed in 17 cases of thoracic aortic dissection using AmpliSeq and Ion Proton technologies. Genetic variants were filtered by location, type, and frequency at the Exome Aggregation Consortium and an internal database and further classified based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) recommendations published in 2015. All prioritized results were confirmed by traditional sequencing.

Results

From the total of 10 potentially pathogenic genetic variants identified in 7 out of the 17 initial samples, 2 of them were further classified as pathogenic, 2 as likely pathogenic, 1 as possibly benign, and the remaining 5 as variants of uncertain significance, reaching a molecular autopsy yield of 23%, approximately.

Conclusions

This massive parallel sequencing candidate gene approach proved useful for the molecular autopsy of aortic dissection sudden cardiac death cases and should therefore be progressively incorporated into the forensic field, being especially beneficial for the anticipated diagnosis and risk stratification of any other family member at risk of developing the same condition.

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Title: Postmortem genetic testing should be recommended in sudden cardiac death cases due to thoracic aortic dissection
Authors: Marina Gago-Díaz
Eva Ramos-Luis
Silvia Zoppis
Esther Zorio
Pilar Molina
Aitana Braza-Boïls
Juan Giner
Beatriz Sobrino
Jorge Amigo
Alejandro Blanco-Verea
Ángel Carracedo
María Brion
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 5/2017
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1583-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Postmortem genetic testing should be recommended in sudden cardiac death cases due to thoracic aortic dissection

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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