Genetics of atrial fibrillation.
Recent studies of atrial fibrillation (AF) have identified mutations in a series of ion mutations; however, these channels appear to be relatively rare causes of AF. Recent genome-wide association studies for AF have identified novel variants associated with the disease, although the mechanism of action for these variants remains unknown. Ultimately, a greater understanding of the genetics of AF should yield insights into novel pathways, therapeutic targets, and diagnostic testing for this common arrhythmia.
Ellinor
Patrick T
PT
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service and Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. pellinor@partners.org
Yi
B Alexander
BA
MacRae
Calum A
CA
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology