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SCN5A mutation is associated with a higher Shanghai Score in patients with type 1 Brugada ECG pattern
Laura Tonelli1, Cristina Balla2, Marianna Farnè1
1Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences and Department of Mother and Child, University Hospital S. Anna Ferrara, Ferrara.
Insights
The Shanghai Score System can help predict SCN5A mutations in Brugada syndrome (BrS) patients. Higher scores and specific ECG patterns indicate a higher likelihood of SCN5A mutations, guiding genetic testing.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmia linked to sudden cardiac death.
- ECG abnormalities, specifically the type 1 pattern, are diagnostic hallmarks.
- Identifying genetic causes, like SCN5A mutations, is crucial for risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Shanghai Score System's ability to predict SCN5A mutations in BrS patients.
- To correlate clinical and ECG findings with SCN5A mutation status.
- To assess the utility of the Shanghai Score in routine clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 125 BrS patients with type 1 ECG patterns was studied.
- Clinical data, ECG parameters (PR, QRS intervals), and family history were collected.
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect SCN5A mutations and the H558R polymorphism.
Main Results:
- The Shanghai Score was significantly higher in patients with SCN5A mutations.
- A spontaneous type 1 ECG pattern was more frequent in SCN5A-positive patients (81%).
- Increased PR and QRS intervals were observed in the SCN5A+ group.
Conclusions:
- The Shanghai Score System is a valuable tool for guiding genetic testing in BrS.
- SCN5A mutations are a significant cause of conduction abnormalities in BrS.
- The H558R polymorphism did not correlate with the Shanghai Score or SCN5A mutations.
Aims:
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmic disease characterized by a coved ST-segment elevation in the right precordial electrocardiogram leads (type 1 ECG pattern) and is associated with a risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In order to assess the predictive value of the Shanghai Score System for the presence of a SCN5A mutation in clinical practice, we studied a cohort of 125 patients with spontaneous or fever/drug-induced BrS type 1 ECG pattern, variably associated with symptoms and a positive family history.
Methods:
The Shanghai Score System items were collected for each patient and PR and QRS complex intervals were measured. Patients were genotyped through a next-generation sequencing (NGS) custom panel for the presence of SCN5A mutations and the common SCN5A polymorphism (H558R).
Results:
The total Shanghai Score was higher in SCN5A+ patients than in SCN5A- patients. The 81% of SCN5A+ patients and the 100% of patients with a SCN5A truncating variant exhibit a spontaneous type 1 ECG pattern. A significant increase in PR (P = 0.006) and QRS (P = 0.02) was detected in the SCN5A+ group. The presence of the common H558R polymorphism did not significantly correlate with any of the items of the Shanghai Score, nor with the total score of the system.
Conclusion:
Data from our study suggest the usefulness of Shanghai Score collection in clinical practice in order to maximize genetic test appropriateness. Our data further highlight SCN5A mutations as a cause of conduction impairment in BrS patients.
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