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Patient Story

Taylor was a vibrant and fun-loving person, who had a seemingly endless amount of energy and could always be found playing sports or spending time with his friends.

Taylor was 13 when he first reported that his heart felt like it was racing. He was riding his bike home from school with his older sister and climbing a particularly steep hill when he exclaimed “My heart’s going crazy!” His family didn’t think much of it as he was totally fine, and had probably just raced his sister. Another episode didn’t happen again until he was 16, when halfway through the second period of his hockey game, Taylor suddenly collapsed on the ice while on a breakaway. He woke up a few minutes later and was taken to the hospital, where he underwent testing, including an ECG, Echocardiogram, blood tests, and was seen by several doctors. However, the results of the tests were normal and he was discharged with no diagnosis.

Only a few months passed before Taylor experienced his third and final episode. He was snowmobiling with his friends when he suddenly fainted while driving. Unfortunately, this time Taylor didn’t wake up.

Our Research

Each year, thousands of apparently healthy young Canadians die suddenly because of cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest often occurs due to an abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia, particularly in the case of healthy young children. These types of arrhythmia conditions can be passed down from parent to child if there are problems in specific heart genes. Genes are a set of instructions in the body that determines a person’s characteristics and how their body functions. An abnormal gene can be a result of a mistake in our DNA, also referred to as a “variant”. Variants may explain the differences we see among individuals or why some people have disease and others do not. Variants in specific heart genes can affect the way the heart beats and how it pumps blood to the rest of the body.

The BC Children’s Hospital Cardiac Electrophysiology (EP) Research Program conducts research with the goal of improving the lives of pediatric patients with abnormal heart rhythm conditions and giving them the chance to thrive and live as normal a life as possible. This is done by collecting detailed health information and interpreting a patient’s genetic profile in order to develop more effective and personalized treatments for children.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and Sudden Unexpected Death (SUD)

Sudden Unexpected Death in the Young (SUDY)

Sudden unexpected death in the young (SUDY) occurs when there is a sudden and unexpected loss of heart function resulting in death. We study a number of aspects of SUDY, including inherited heart conditions such as Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). CPVT is a rare inherited arrhythmia condition that can result in SCA or SUD. CPVT often occurs as a result of a variant in a gene called the Ryanodine Receptor 2, which makes an important channel that controls the entry of calcium into heart cells, a function that is essential for making the heartbeat. Symptoms of CPVT include fainting with exercise.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – Risk for SUD

The autonomic nervous system is a component of the nervous system responsible for regulating all bodily functions that occur, such as heart rate and blood pressure. We are interested in learning more about whether the ANS might affect the heart and contribute to SCA/SUD. The literature has shown that approximately 50% of SCA cases are unexplained, occurring without a diagnosed condition. Our research program wants to know if some of these unexplained cases of SCA might be caused by problems related to the ANS.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – Syncope

Syncope, or fainting, is a temporary loss of consciousness often related to a lack of blood flow to the brain. Syncope is very common, occurring in 1 in 3 people. Our program is interested in neurally mediated syncope (NMS) or vasovagal syncope (VVS) in children, which occurs when the ANS malfunctions in response to a trigger, such as pain or prolonged standing.

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an irregularly fast heartbeat that originates in the heart’s upper chambers. Our research aims to improve the treatment and outcomes of pediatric patients with SVT.

Every element that makes BC Children's Hospital so important to BC's kids would not be possible without the generosity of our supporters and friends. From the tiniest toy that puts a smile on a youngster's face to the groundbreaking pediatric research that's helping to find better treatments and cures for many devastating childhood diseases, your donation helps ensure that the most precious members of our society - our children - receive the best possible care.

On behalf of all of us - patients, parents, staff, and volunteers - from BC Children's Hospital, thank you for your generosity and for caring for our children and their future.