Mitochondrial genome variability in sudden cardiac death

We studied mitochondrial DNA polymorphism and mtDNA copy number in sudden cardiac death (SCD). In the SCD group, a lower mtDNA copy number was found in the myocardium. Analysis of mtDNA polymorphism revealed a higher frequency of H1 haplogroup in the SCD samples, compared with the population, as well as higher frequency of missense variant Ala177Thr in ATP6 gene in the group of cardiac arrest survivors. The results of the study suggest association of mtDNA polymorphism and mtDNA copy number with the risk of sudden cardiac death.