Fvg sudden cardiac death registry extends to Balkans

(ANSA) - TRIESTE, OCT 23 - An international registry for the study of sudden cardiac deaths in youth, which, following the Friuli Venezia Giulia model, will be extended to regions in the Balkan area. Generating knowledge and life through the study of families and the in-depth study of hereditary disorders. This is the commitment with which the many scholars gathered in Trieste for the first international congress on sudden cardiac death organized by ASUGI and the University of Trieste greeted each other and agreed to meet in Skopije on September 25, 2025 for the second edition. There are 160 professionals, cardiologists, sports physicians, geneticists, and pathologists from all over Europe, physicians in specialist training from different disciplines, and students from the University of Trieste's medical degree program. There are many sponsorships from Italian and international scientific societies (North Macedonia, Serbia), the Foreign Ministry and the Ukrainian Ministry of Health. The discussion in Trieste was opened by Mary Sheppard, among the world's leading cardiac pathologists and former president of the European Cardiovascular Pathology Association.
    Succession of three specialized round tables composed of pathologists, geneticists and cardiologists addressed the topic of sudden cardiac death in youth in all its components, complexities and family implications. Data were presented from the FVG Registry, promoted by Gianfranco Sinagra, ASUGI Cardiothoracovascular Dept. Director, and Alessia Clocchiatti in legal staff at the FVG Health and Social Policies Department and developed and Coordinated by Stefano D'errico Director of Forensic Medicine. Large multidisciplinary staff from across the region. From January 2021 to September 2024, 122 cases were enrolled, of which 42 in the province of Trieste alone, studied according to the rigorous protocol envisaged by LR 26/2020 following the guidelines of the International Scientific Societies and including a complete and detailed autopsy examination, study of the heart by MRI, complete toxicological profile, and genetic study to search for pathogenic mutations for cardiomyopathies and arrhythmogenic channelopathies. Pronounced prevalence for the male sex in FVG as well, with prominent involvement of the third and fourth decades of age compared with those before. 72% of recorded cases occurred at home, mostly in the absence of symptoms preceding the event.
    Coronary myocardial pathology underlying 40% of all causes of death, followed by substance abuse, often taken with alcohol or psychotropic drugs. Genetic testing was requested in 15 cases to document genetic mutations relevant to inherited cardiovascular disease: family members were enrolled in a qualified first-level cardiology checkup at cardiology centers in the region, with a collaborative spirit among cardiologists, forensic physicians, pathologists, geneticists, radiologists, and with informative feedback to family physicians. An unprecedented epidemiological heritage will be formed to which continuity will be given with the support of regional institutions. Ample space will be given to young researchers, competing for the best poster award. The scientific committee chaired by Mary Sheppard and Yanko Kolev, President International Academy of Forensic Sciences, selected 3 contributions for originality and importance of data, submitted by young researchers from Serbia and Slovenia. Award of Merit was given to Lorenzo Pagnan, UCO Diagnostic Radiology Cattinara Hospital, for contributing to the project and presenting results on 90 cardio-RM examinations performed between 2021 and 2024 at the ASUGI Imaging Dept. (ANSA).