Genetics of Atrial Fibrillation in the Framingham Heart Study. Population in Primary Prevention

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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common disabling cardiac arrhythmia leading to stroke and heart failure. Despite its increasing socioeconomic relevance in a modern population data on predisposing risk factors and triggers are scant. The Framingham Heart Study (FHS) is synonymous with the remarkable advances made in the prevention of cardiac disease throughout the world. Directly addressed research questions will be the prevalence and incidence of AF. The study design allows a comprehensive research of the genetics of atrial fibrillation in initially healthy individuals in context with anamnestic, environmental, clinical, and electrocardiographical factors. To investigate the genetic factors associated with AF risk complementary approaches are chosen; a) candidate genes of inflammatory and cardiac remodelling pathways are examined; and b) - most importantly - genome wide association studies using 100K (potentially 550 K) genome scans will be applied; c) finally a prediction model for the risk of developing AF will be developed. Replication and validation of the obtained genetic data will be performed after return to Germany in the PREVENT-it Study, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, a population-based prospective study comprising 17.000 German individuals providing clinical, genetic, and proteomic parameters.