Genomics and Adult Cardiovascular Emergencies: A Primer for Emergency Medicine Clinicians

There is a growing intersection between genomics and emergency medical care following recent advancements in both capability and accessibility. This is of particular significance in the management of cardiovascular emergencies, where conditions such as sudden cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia and syncope can be due to an inherited condition. The ability to identify a genetic cause for such presentations challenges what may have previously been conceded as a 'known unknown'. This has often been the case in adult presentations, where a genetic cause may not be considered or deemed beyond available diagnostic capabilities. The purpose of this article is to inform emergency medicine clinicians about the role of genomics in adult and paediatric cardiovascular emergencies and provide a practical guide to recognising relevant presentations where referral to a cardiovascular genomic service may be relevant.