Network members Ingrid E. Christophersen, Renate B. Schnabel, Michiel Rienstra, Emelia J. Benjamin and Patrick T. Ellinor and collaborators in the AFGen Consortium recently presented results from a GWAS meta-analysis on the electrocardiographic P-wave in more than 44 000 individuals, in an article published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics.

In total, fifteen significant genetic loci was identified; Six novel genetic loci was associated with P-wave terminal force, whereas six novel and four known loci was associated with P-wave maximum duration. One genetic locus was overlapping. Together, the two electrocardiographic traits describe atrial electrical conduction and they have both previously been associated with atrial fibrillation. P-wave terminal force is also a well-known marker for left atrial enlargement. As such, both traits may be viewed as endophenotypes for atrial fibrillation and identification of genetic markers associated with them may also shed light on new mechanisms for atrial fibrillation and serve as novel targets for antiarrhythmic therapy. Read more here.

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