Grant: Maud Menten New Principal Investigator Prize - Clinical

Despite optimal medical treatments and cardiac interventions (such as angioplasty), some patients continue to have recurrent heart attacks. Recurrent heart attacks after an initial cardiac event are frequently debilitating and can be catastrophic. Although much work has been done to understand the cause for such events, little is known about the role of genetics in recurrent heart attacks. Individuals with a family history of premature heart disease are known to be at increased risk for recurrent heart attacks suggesting that genetics may play a role. Recent studies have identified several genetic markers that are associated with a first heart attack. In addition, recent evidence has demonstrated that certain genetic profiles (i.e. the combination of these genetic markers) can predict a markedly increased risk of having a first heart attack. However, it remains unknown whether such genetic markers could also identify high-risk individuals for a recurrent heart attack. In the proposed study, we plan to develop a genetic profile based on the available genetic evidence for heart disease, and evaluate whether such a profile could identify individuals at high risk for recurrent heart attacks. In addition, we will also consider whether certain genetic variants could render commonly prescribed heart medications less effective, a potential cause for recurrent heart attacks. By identifying high risk genetically predisposed patients and improving the preventative care for these individuals, our findings could have profound implications for the management of patients after a heart attack.