Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • News Feature
  • Published:

Telltale hearts

Each year, tens of thousands of young people worldwide die suddenly after their hearts stop beating for no apparent reason. Genetic testing for inherited heart rhythm disorders can potentially offer grief-stricken family members an explanation for the loss of their loved ones and provide actionable diagnostic information to help them avoid the same fate. And yet, such 'molecular autopsies' are rarely performed by the forensic experts who investigate unexplained deaths. Jeanne Erdmann meets the medical professionals who are trying to change that.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Tester, D.J., Medeiros-Domingo, A., Will, M.L., Haglund, C.M. & Ackerman, M.J. Mayo Clin. Proc. 87, 524–539 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Winkel, B.G. et al. J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol. 23, 1092–1098 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Skinner, J.R. et al. Heart Rhythm 8, 412–419 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ackerman, M.J. et al. Pediatr. Res. 44, 148–153 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ackerman, M.J., Tester, D.J., Porter, C.J. & Edwards, W.D. N. Engl. J. Med. 341, 1121–1125 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Ackerman, M.J., Tester, D.J. & Driscoll, D.J. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 22, 105–111 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Van Driest, S.L., Will, M.L., Atkins, D.L. & Ackerman, M.J. Am. J. Cardiol. 90, 1123–1127 (2002).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Middleton, O. et al. Acad. Forensic Pathol. 3, 191–194 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Erdmann, J. Telltale hearts. Nat Med 19, 1361–1364 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1113-1361

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1113-1361

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing