Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Calcium release channel deficiency syndrome in patients diagnosed with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and decedents classified as sudden unexplained death in the young

EuropacePublished Retrospective cohort study

Authors' conclusion

CRCDS may account for 3% of IVF overall and 9% of exertion-related SCA in IVF. Ultra-rare RYR2 variants may underlie up to 11% of SUDY, with 65% of RYR2-positive cases occurring during exertion. LOF-RYR2 variants may contribute to ≥7% of exercise-associated SUDY.

Study context

Population
Patients with idiopathic VF and decedents classified as sudden unexplained death in the young, with RYR2 genetic analysis
Participants
169 vs 279
Exposure
Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) vs sudden unexplained death in the young (SUDY)
  • IVFn = 169
  • SUDYn = 279
Outcome
Prevalence of potential calcium release channel deficiency syndrome (CRCDS)-causative RYR2 variants (ultra-rare, <0.005% in gnomAD, nonsynonymous)

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Ultra-rare RYR2 variant carriage
GroupValueExertion-related SCAExertion-related SCDRest-related SCD
IVF3%6/67 (9%)
SUDY11%20/83 (24%)11/196 (6%)

Value

IVF3%
SUDY11%

Exertion-related SCA

IVF6/67 (9%)
SUDY— not stated in the abstract

Exertion-related SCD

IVF— not stated in the abstract
SUDY20/83 (24%)

Rest-related SCD

IVF— not stated in the abstract
SUDY11/196 (6%)

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Loss-of-function (LOF) RYR2 variant in SUDY

LOF variant, of 14 with functionally characterized variants
5 (2% of total cohort)
LOF variant, exertion-related SUDY
4/56 (7%)

Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in IVF RYR2 carriers

Distinct RYR2 variants (2 previously characterized as LOF)
6
All exhibited normal resting and stress ECGs

Original publication

Calcium release channel deficiency syndrome in patients diagnosed with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and decedents classified as sudden unexplained death in the young. Europace. Published 5 March 2026. doi:10.1093/europace/euaf303

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