The use of antiarrhythmic drugs is limited by high incidences of adverse events including QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. A study published June 6 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) focuses on whether NOS1AP gene variants affect drug-induced long QT syndrome (LQTS).

Additional Resources Full Study Journal Scan: Polymorphisms in the NOS1AP Gene Modulate QT Interval Duration and Risk of Arrhythmias in the Long QT Syndrome Cardiac Rhythm Management Clinical Community Journal Scan: Rotterdam Study CardioSmart Patient Fact Sheet: Arrhythmias

The study looked at 167 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) spanning the NOS1AP gene in 58 Caucasian patients experiencing drug-induced LQTS and 87 Caucasian control patients from the DARE (Drug-Induced Arrhythmia Risk Evaluation) study.

Overall findings showed that common variations in the NOS1AP gene are associated with a significant increase in the risk of drug-induced, and in particular amiodarone-induced, ventricular arrhythmia and QT prolongation.

"These results provide the first demonstration that common variations in the NOS1AP gene are associated with a significant increase in the risk of dLQTS, "study authors said. They suggest that improved understanding of the biological pathways underlying the variation in drug response will benefit the development of safer drugs. In particular, "these variants may be used in the future as markers to predict and avoid risk for drug-induced TdP in Caucasian patients who may require amiodarone therapy," they note.

 

 

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