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Telltale hearts

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Each year, tens of thousands of young people worldwide die suddenly after their hearts stop beating for no apparent reason. Genetic testing for inherited heart rhythm disorders can potentially offer grief-stricken family members an explanation for the loss of their loved ones and provide actionable diagnostic information to help them avoid the same fate. And yet, such 'molecular autopsies' are rarely performed by the forensic experts who investigate unexplained deaths. Jeanne Erdmann meets the medical professionals who are trying to change that.

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Erdmann, J. Telltale hearts. Nat Med 19, 1361–1364 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1113-1361

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1113-1361

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