Large-scale analyses of common and rare variants identify 12 new loci associated with atrial fibrillation

Nat Genet. 2017 Jun;49(6):946-952. doi: 10.1038/ng.3843. Epub 2017 Apr 17.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation affects more than 33 million people worldwide and increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and death. Fourteen genetic loci have been associated with atrial fibrillation in European and Asian ancestry groups. To further define the genetic basis of atrial fibrillation, we performed large-scale, trans-ancestry meta-analyses of common and rare variant association studies. The genome-wide association studies (GWAS) included 17,931 individuals with atrial fibrillation and 115,142 referents; the exome-wide association studies (ExWAS) and rare variant association studies (RVAS) involved 22,346 cases and 132,086 referents. We identified 12 new genetic loci that exceeded genome-wide significance, implicating genes involved in cardiac electrical and structural remodeling. Our results nearly double the number of known genetic loci for atrial fibrillation, provide insights into the molecular basis of atrial fibrillation, and may facilitate the identification of new potential targets for drug discovery.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / genetics*
  • Black or African American / genetics
  • Genetic Loci*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Quantitative Trait Loci
  • White People / genetics