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Published on: July 14, 2021
Aortic stenosis intricacies beyond the valve: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
1Department of Cardiology, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China.
Insights
Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) causally increases the risk of heart failure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. Hypertension also increases the risk of CAVS, highlighting the need for blood pressure management in cardiovascular disease prevention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Observational studies suggest an association between calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) and increased risk of other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
- The causal nature of this association remains uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential causal relationship between calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) and the risk of seven common cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
- To explore the causal relationship between hypertension and CAVS.
Main Methods:
- A bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed.
- Meta-analysis was used to combine multiple MR results and estimate causal effects.
- Genetic variants were used as instrumental variables to infer causality.
Main Results:
- Genetically predicted CAVS was causally associated with an increased risk of heart failure, large-artery stroke, cardioembolic stroke, and atrial fibrillation.
- Hypertension was found to causally increase the risk of CAVS.
- The analyses showed no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes a causal link between CAVS and increased risks of various CVDs, including heart failure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.
- A causal relationship between hypertension and CAVS risk was also identified.
- Prioritizing CVD prevention and management in individuals with CAVS, alongside blood pressure control, is crucial.
Aims:
Numerous observational studies have reported an association between calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) and an increased risk of other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the potential causal association is uncertain.
Methods And Results:
A bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to confirm the causal association between CAVS and the risk of seven common CVDs. The meta-analysis was used to estimate the combined causal effect with multiple MR results. The MR analysis indicated that genetically predicted CAVS is associated with the increased risk of heart failure (odds ratio [OR] = 1.064; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.008, 1.123]; P = 0.025), large-artery stroke (OR = 1.256; 95% CI [1.112, 1.418]; P < 0.001), cardioembolic stroke (OR = 1.228; 95% CI [1.117, 1.349]; P < 0.001) and atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.100; 95% CI [1.061, 1.140]; P < 0.001) without heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Genetically predicted hypertension (FinnGen: OR = 1.170; 95% CI [1.055, 1.297]; P = 0.003 and UK Biobank: OR = 2.456; 95% CI: 1.571, 3.840; P = 8.16 × 10-5) increased the risk of CAVS.
Conclusions:
This comprehensive MR study revealed the causal relationship between genetically predicted CAVS and the increased risk of various CVDs and the causal relationship between hypertension and CAVS risk. Given the harmful causal impact of CAVS on adverse cardiovascular events, it is crucial to prioritize the prevention and management of CVD in individuals with CAVS. Blood pressure management is an effective preventive intervention.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management

