Implementing a specialized cardiogenomics team for lipid disorders: Insights from a single large health system

Genetic testing for lipid disorders can improve cardiovascular risk stratification in patients and their families, however it remains infrequently used in clinical practice. Perceived obstacles related to cost, insurance, and implementation of services may account for some of the limited use. Integration of a cardiogenomics team can streamline genetic testing, counseling, and insurance approval. In order to assess the utility and feasibility of genetic testing in clinical care, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 99 patients referred to our cardiogenomics team for lipid abnormalities and personal and/or family history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease from July 2018 to August 2022. Of the 18 patients with pathogenic variants, 50 % had a modification made to therapy and overall experienced greater reductions in LDL-C compared to those with negative results. Most patients did not require prior authorization and had genetic testing covered by insurance. Our study shows that access to genetic testing is feasible, warranting a renewed focus on implementation with further research to understand the clinical impact and socioeconomic barriers to such programs.