Gut microbiome relationship with arrhythmias and conduction blocks: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Microbiome Research
• Genetics

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between gut microbiome (GM) and arrhythmias/conduction blocks.
• The causal relationship remains unclear due to reverse causation and confounding factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the causal relationship between the gut microbiome and the development of arrhythmias and conduction blocks.
• Utilize Mendelian randomization to establish causality.

Main Methods:

• Employed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
• Utilized summary statistics for GM, arrhythmias, and conduction blocks.
• Performed sensitivity analyses using various MR methods (IVW, weighted median, etc.).

Main Results:

• Identified specific gut bacteria associated with increased or decreased risk for atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal tachycardia, atrioventricular block, and left bundle-branch block.
• No causative GM identified for right bundle-branch block.

Conclusions:

• Established potential causal links between specific gut microbes and cardiac electrical disorders.
• Findings may inform microbiome-based interventions and biomarker discovery for prevention strategies.