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Genomic Testing Making Inroads in Cardiology

by | May 11, 2015 | Clinical Diagnostics Insider, Diagnostic Testing and Emerging Technologies

Adoption of pharmacogenomic testing has trailed behind optimistic projections, particularly in the field of cardiology. But now two recent studies published in The Lancet by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Study Group are demonstrating that genetic information can improve risk assessment for coronary artery disease and can identify patients most likely to benefit from preventive statin therapy. Furthermore, pharmacogenomic testing can identify atrial fibrillation patients who are at greater risk for bleeding events early in treatment and would benefit from novel anticoagulant therapy instead of widely-prescribed warfarin. “There are many conditions for which genetic testing can fit very nicely into routine cardiology practice,” Jessica Mega, M.D., lead author of both studies, tells DTET. “Cardiologists are personalizing medicine all the time for patients, by taking into account other variables like diabetes status, creatinine levels, or age. There has been this hesitation around genetic information, but I believe that is eroding.” Genetics IDs Cardiac Risk, Those to Benefit From Statins A genetic risk score identifies individuals at increased risk for heart attack or death from coronary artery disease, according to a study published online March 4 in The Lancet. The researchers say the composite score further identifies those individuals who will derive […]

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