New Study Reveals Scar Tissue's Role in Sudden Cardiac Death
A groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of Freiburg has shed light on a previously unknown mechanism behind sudden cardiac death in young, seemingly healthy individuals. Led by Prof. Peter Kohl, the team's findings, published in Nature Cardiovascular Research, challenge existing notions about the role of scar tissue in heart function.
The research, supported by the Collaborative Research Center SFB1425 and the European Research Council (ERC), discovered that scar tissue in the heart can actively alter electrical signals, depending on heart rate. Under stress, these alterations can lead to dangerous arrhythmias, potentially causing sudden cardiac death.
The team, headed by Prof. Kohl at the University Hospital Freiburg, developed a novel 3D imaging technique to make this discovery. Their aim now is to refine this method for clinical use, enabling individual risk analyses and the creation of digital heart models.
The University of Freiburg's research team, led by Prof. Peter Kohl, has uncovered a new mechanism that could explain sudden cardiac death in young, healthy individuals. By demonstrating that scar tissue actively influences heart function, their work opens avenues for improved risk assessment and personalized heart care.
