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