Cardiovascular genomics.
OBJECTIVE
This article provides an update on cardiovascular genomics using three clinically relevant exemplars, including myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, and sudden cardiac death (SCD). ORGANIZATIONAL CONSTRUCT: Recent advances in cardiovascular genomic research, testing, and clinical implications are presented.


METHODS
Genomic nurse experts reviewed and summarized recent salient literature to provide updates on three selected cardiovascular genomic conditions.


RESULTS
Research is ongoing to discover comprehensive genetic markers contributing to many common forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including MI and stroke. However, genomic technologies are increasingly being used clinically, particularly in patients with long QT syndrome (LQTS) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who are at risk for SCD.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, there are no clinically recommended genetic tests for many common forms of CVD even though direct-to-consumer genetic tests are being marketed to healthcare providers and the general public. On the other hand, genetic testing for patients with certain single gene conditions, including channelopathies (e.g., LQTS) and cardiomyopathies (e.g., HCM), is recommended clinically.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses play a pivotal role in cardiogenetics and are actively engaged in direct clinical care of patients and families with a wide variety of heritable conditions. It is important for nurses to understand current development of cardiovascular genomics and be prepared to translate the new genomic knowledge into practice.
The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. shufen@nursing.arizona.edu
Shu-Fen
SF
Wung
Kathleen T
KT
Hickey
Jacquelyn Y
JY
Taylor
Matthew J
MJ
Gallek
D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000235:genetics; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000451:nursing*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000235:genetics; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005820:Genetic Testing; D015894:Genome, Human; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000235:genetics; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics; D024802:Nurse's Role; D020521:Stroke / Q000235:genetics
D005819:Genetic Markers