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Science 23 August 2002:
Vol. 297. no. 5585, p. 1252
DOI: 10.1126/science.297.5585.1252
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News of the Week

PHARMACOGENETICS:
Gene Mutation May Boost Risk of Heart Arrhythmias

Jean Marx

Researchers have already identified several mutant genes that cause rare and potentially fatal heart arrhythmias. Now, on page 1333, a team offers evidence that a different variation in one of those genes, dubbed SCN5A, might increase the risk of heart rhythm disturbances in members of the population at large, not just in those few people with the hereditary arrhythmias. The variant gene, found primarily in persons of African descent, isn't likely to cause problems on its own, but might in combination with certain medications, including some used to treat high blood pressure, that also raise the risk of heart arrhythmias.

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
RNA Silencing in Surgical Disease.
J. Arya, J. Y. Cha, A. Banerjee, and A. H. Harken (2003)
Arch Surg 138, 1145-1147
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