Genetics/Genomics News

Reducing lipoprotein(a) by 65.7 mg/dL may have the same effect on clinical outcomes as a reduction in LDL to 38.67 mg/dL, according to a Mendelian randomization analysis published in JAMA Cardiology.

In a genetic epidemiological study, the assumed protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on CV events was noncausal, and any level of alcohol consumption was associated with increased BP and stroke risk in men.

Cardiology Today compiled a list of the 10 most-read articles on Healio Cardiology in 2018 related to genetics. Several of the top stories focus on the effects of genetic risk scores on identifying patients with an increased risk for MI, CAD and primary prevention as a whole. Genetics can also play a vital role in a personalized approach to drug selection. Specific genetic variants have been shown to be markers for conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and early-onset atrial fibrillation.

Modifications in thyroid activity may be an effective strategy in preventing atrial fibrillation, according to two studies published in JAMA Cardiology. 

The first genetic risk locus for spontaneous coronary artery dissection has been identified, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

There were many noteworthy developments in cardiology in 2018. A number of trials were published that changed practice, and important new guidelines were released.

DalCor announced that it has completed patient enrollment for a phase 3 trial that will assess the efficacy of a cholesteryl ester transfer protein, or CETP, inhibitor in addition to standard care for the treatment of patients with a particular genotype who had a recent ACS event.

A loss-of-function variant in the titin gene, or TTN, was statistically and significantly associated with early-onset atrial fibrillation, according to a study published in JAMA.

Among adults with obesity, each 1-standard deviation increase in BMI increases the odds for type 2 diabetes by 67% and for coronary artery disease by 20%, according to a meta-analysis of Mendelian randomization studies published in JAMA Network Open.

Cardiology Today and Healio.com/Cardiology were on-site to cover the European Society of Cardiology Congress from Aug. 25 to 29 in Munich. A number of groundbreaking studies in preventive cardiology were presented. Here are some of the highlights.