Open Access

Genome-wide association study identifies 18 novel loci associated with left atrial volume and function

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Date: 2 August 2021
Journal: European Heart Journal , Volume 42 , Issue 44 , Pages 4523 - 4534
Topic: ARRHYTHMIAS AND DEVICE THERAPY, DISEASES OF THE AORTA, PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE, STROKE, Stroke, Atrial Fibrillation (AF), IMAGING, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR), BASIC SCIENCE
Authors: G. Ahlberg , L. Andreasen , J. Ghouse , L. Bertelsen , H. Bundgaard , S. Haunsø , J. Svendsen , M. Olesen

ESC Journals

AbstractAims 

Left atrial (LA) volume and function impose significant impact on cardiovascular pathogenesis if compromised. We aimed at investigating the genetic architecture of LA volume and function using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging data.

Methods and results 

We used the UK Biobank, which is a large prospective population study with available phenotypic and genetic data. On a subset of 35 658 European individuals, we performed genome-wide association studies on five volumetric and functional LA variables, generated using a machine learning algorithm. In total, we identified 18 novel genetic loci, mapped to genes with known roles in cardiomyopathy (e.g. MYO18B, TTN, DSP, ANKRD1) and arrhythmia (e.g. TTN, CASQ2, MYO18B, C9orf3). We observed high genetic correlation between LA volume and function and stroke, which was most pronounced for LA passive emptying fraction (rg = 0.40, P = 4 × 10−6). To investigate whether the genetic risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with LA traits that precede overt AF, we produced a polygenetic risk score for AF. We found that polygenetic risk for AF is associated with increased LA volume and decreased LA function in participants without AF [LAmax 0.25 (mL/m2)/standard deviation (SD), 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.15; 0.36), P = 5.13 × 10−6; LAmin 0.21 (mL/m2)/SD, 95% CI (0.15; 0.28), P = 1.86 × 10−10; LA active emptying fraction −0.35%/SD, 95% CI (−0.43; −0.26), P = 3.14 × 10−14].

Conclusion 

We report on 18 genetic loci associated with LA volume and function and show evidence for several plausible candidate genes important for LA structure.

About the contributors

Gustav Ahlberg

Role: Author

Laura Andreasen

Copenhagen (Rigshospitalet - Copenhagen University Hospital)

Role: Author

Jonas Ghouse

Role: Author