A test to identify those at risk of sudden cardiac death syndrome – the condition that nearly killed footballer Fabrice Muamba – could be developed after scientists discovered how the genetic fault causes the heart to stop, reports [s]The Daily Telegraph[/s]. Researchers at [b]Cardiff University[/b] hope their discovery will lead to new drugs that can prevent the condition. Professor Tony Lai, of the university’s [b]Sir Geraint Evans Wales Heart Research Institute[/b], pointed out, however, that the faulty gene must be relatively rare ,so screening for it would need careful cost effectiveness evaluations and any drug to treat it would also run into cost complications.
[link url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/11002789/Discovery-made-that-could-prevent-sudden-cardiac-death-that-nearly-killed-Fabrice-Muamba.html]Full report in The Daily Telegraph[/link]