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Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
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The molecular genetic basis of atrial fibrillation

Xin Huang1, Yuhui Li2, Junguo Zhang1

  • 1Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Methodology (CCEM), Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, 466 Newport Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510317, Guangdong, China.

Human Genetics
|July 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has a strong genetic basis. Understanding AF genetics is key to developing better treatments for this common heart rhythm disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Genetics
  • Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, posing significant risks for stroke, heart failure, and mortality.
  • Current treatments for AF lack optimal benefit-harm profiles due to incomplete understanding of its underlying biological mechanisms.
  • Molecular epidemiological studies, particularly genome-wide association studies (GWAS), highlight a substantial genetic contribution to AF etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of the molecular genetics of atrial fibrillation.
  • To explore the genetic underpinnings of AF to advance the understanding of its mechanisms.
  • To facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets for AF.

Main Methods:

  • Review of evidence from linkage analysis and candidate gene studies.
  • Analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for common variations.
  • Inclusion of studies on rare copy number variations and epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs).

Main Results:

  • Significant genetic factors contribute to the etiology of atrial fibrillation.
  • Evidence spans various genetic approaches, including traditional and genome-wide studies.
  • Epigenetic modifications also play a role in AF pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of AF's genetic architecture is crucial for mechanistic insights.
  • Further research into genetic and epigenetic factors is essential for developing improved AF therapies.
  • Addressing challenges in mechanism investigation will pave the way for future therapeutic advancements.

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