Genomics of coronary artery disease

Coordinator:		Dr. Patrick Linsel-Nitschke                                                                    Prof Dr. Jeanette Erdmann                                                                    Dr. Marcus Fischer
Institution:		Universität Lübeck                                                                             Universität Lübeck                                                                             Universität Regensburg
Homepage:		www.uk-sh.de

The aim of our project is to identify genetic variants which significantly increase the risk for coronary calcification and left main disease. Our group has recently demonstrated that left main disease and coronary calcification show a high degree of heritability. Due to the fact that left main disease constitutes a particular critical affection of CAD and is associated with poor prognosis, we will focus on this clinically important phenotype.  We plan to identify the underlying genetic mechanisms leading to coronary calcification and left main disease. By comparison with our recently completed GWA-study of myocardial infarction we will put special emphasis on a potential genetic heterogeneity between the more common forms of CAD and left main disease. The identification of distinct genetic risk factors for left main disease and coronary calcification will lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiological diversity of CAD and might help to identify new screening strategies in order to identify those patients at the highest risk.