Cardiostim 2008, an international European meeting that brings together renowned experts worldwide in the field of cardiac electrophysiology, was held in Nice France from June 18 to 21. Dr. Charles Antzelevitch, Executive Director and Director of Research of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, was invited to present three lectures dealing with inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndromes such as the Short QT and Brugada syndromes as well as a lecture on novel approaches for the management of atrial fibrillation, the most common abnormal rhythm of the heart encountered in the clinic.

Sudden death from cardiac causes can vary depending on population risk factors but is believed to be as high as 1 in 1,000 worldwide. Within the United States, Sudden cardiac death (SCD) takes the life of an estimated 350,000 each year. The MMRL is the leading center for the study of the Brugada syndrome in the Untied Sates and is also at the forefront of our understanding of the genetic basis and mechanisms of inherited syndromes.

Inherited syndromes such as Short QT and Brugada, affect the electrical activity of the heart and have been shown to play a determining role in SCD. These syndromes tragically take the lives of children and young adults, often with little or no warning. Genetic mutations responsible for congenital syndromes can also predispose to arrhythmogenesis associated with ischemic heart disease responsible for heart attacks and other cardiac abnormalities. (enlarged hearts, for example).

Through collaborations with clinical centers and physicians worldwide, the MMRL is provided blood from patients afflicted with abnormal rhythms of the heart. Following extraction of the DNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, genetic sequencing is performed to identify genetic errors. The mutant genes are then cloned and expressed in a human cell line so as to identify the nature of the cellular defect. The characteristics of the defect is determined by electrophysiological techniques, provide us specific direction for the design of the experimental models of the disease.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common symptomatic abnormal heart rhythm encountered by physicians and is increasing in prevalence as America ages. Over 2.2 million Americans are afflicted with the disease. The risk of stroke from AF is estimated to be 1.5% for those 50-59 years of age, and approaches an incredible 30% for those 80 and older. Effective pharmacological treatment of AF is one of the largest unmet medical needs facing our society because most available drugs have low effectiveness and those with high effectiveness, have high toxicity. In recent studies, MMRL scientists have characterized the atrial selectivity of a novel drug, ranolazine, and have attempted to explain the molecular basis for this. These results were published in Circulation, the #1 cardiology journal, in September of 2007. Antzelevitch is working with investigators nationwide to design clinical trials for testing the effectiveness of ranolazine in the management of atrial fibrillation.

Antzelevitch and his colleagues at the MMRL are leading the way in defining the mechanisms that cause cardiac arrhythmias and in discovering innovative new approaches to therapy.

The MMRL was recently selected as 1 of the top 100 charities of distinction in the United States by Greg Gumbel's cable TV show, Eye on America. A segment featuring the Laboratory will air over the summer. The MMRL will also be featured later in the year in a National Geographic TV special. To learn more about the MMRL or how you can support this life-saving research, please visit, www.mmrl.edu .