Greek National Network of Precision Medicine in Cardiology and the Prevention of Sudden Death in the Young
1 Description
- Rare heart diseases are usually inherited and are primarily associated with sudden cardiac death in the young.
- Sudden death at younger ages is primarily caused by inherited cardiovascular diseases; it is these diseases that are at the core of sudden death in the young.
- The prevention of sudden death in the young is thus linked to the ability to diagnose and treat inherited cardiovascular diseases in each country.
- Greece, due to its many islands and their traditionally insular populations, is a natural terrain for inherited and rare diseases.
- Today, large-scale preventative screening is taking place in the country, targeting primarily young people who regularly and actively participate in sport and/or compete (locally, nationally, or internationally). This gives rise to a discriminatory situation amongst the younger population, as pathological causes of sudden death in the young are not limited to athletes alone.
- The Greek National Network of Precision Medicine in Cardiology and the Prevention of Sudden Death in the Young was established in July 2019.
- It is a partnership of Greek public and university hospitals and research institutions.
- It is funded by the General Secretariat of Research and Technology (GSRT) at the Ministry of Development and Investments, using funds from the national branch of the GSRT’s Public Investment Program.
2Purpose
- Rare heart diseases are usually inherited and are primarily associated with sudden cardiac death in the young.
- Sudden death at younger ages is primarily caused by inherited cardiovascular diseases; it is these diseases that are at the core of sudden death in the young.
- The prevention of sudden death in the young is thus linked to the ability to diagnose and treat inherited cardiovascular diseases in each country.
- Greece, due to its many islands and their traditionally insular populations, is a natural terrain for inherited and rare diseases.
- Today, large-scale preventative screening is taking place in the country, targeting primarily young people who regularly and actively participate in sport and/or compete (locally, nationally, or internationally). This gives rise to a discriminatory situation amongst the younger population, as pathological causes of sudden death in the young are not limited to athletes alone.
- The Greek National Network of Precision Medicine in Cardiology and the Prevention of Sudden Death in the Young was established in July 2019.
- It is a partnership of Greek public and university hospitals and research institutions.
- It is funded by the General Secretariat of Research and Technology (GSRT) at the Ministry of Development and Investments, using funds from the national branch of the GSRT’s Public Investment Program.
3Implementation
- Creation of a national registry of sudden death and a national registry of inherited and rare cardiovascular diseases
- Clinical screening of high-risk families identified through these 2 registries
- Creation of an epidemiological clinical-genetic map of the country for such diseases and for sudden death in the young
- Provision of free genetic screening to high-risk families
- Advancement of bioinformatics, of biobank creation, and of the secure collection, analysis, storage and distribution of data
- Support and development of the Network of Precision Medicine in Cardiology Units that have been established and operate throughout Greece.
- Training of young doctors in the filed of Inherited Cardiac Disease.
- Effective management of research findings with a view to promoting precision medicine and use of the research for the benefit of public health