Cardiac Ion Channel Diseases ("Channelopathies"): An Update

Cardiac ion channel diseases are rare diseases and are influenced by a variety of different genotypes. For the diagnosis molecular genetic studies are important because they allow a more precise classification. In the present review recent results of studies are summarized, illustrating the importance of molecular genetic analyses, and the necessity of long-term clinical studies in the field of ion channel diseases: long QT and short QT syndrome (LQTS and SQTS), Brugada syndrome (BrS), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), and finally idiopathic ventricular fibrillation.