Genechoc Study Genetic markers of arrhythmic risk in heart failure

Introduction Ventricular arrhythmic events are responsible for 50% of death in heart failure but no reliable predictive marker is known to discriminate patients at risk of fatal arrhythmia. Interestingly, familial predisposition has been reported suggesting a role of genetic factors. Objective Identify genetic markers increasing the arrhythmic risk in heart failure population. Method We prospectively included heart failure patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) under 35% and a cardioverter defibrillator in primary prevention in 22 French centres between 2009 and 2017. Patients were followed for 72 months and divided into two groups: cases with an arrhythmic event during follow-up and controls. A Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) was done. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyping was performed on Affymetrix Axiom Precision Medicine Research Array plates. Results 332 cases and 567 controls were included (86% men, mean age at implantation 52 ± 11 years). 78% of patients had ischaemic cardiopathy, 20% had dilated cardiomyopathy. Mean LVEF was 27 ± 5%. No statistical difference was found between cases and controls on clinical parameters or electrocardiographic measures. No locus shows genome-wide significant association (P  Fig. 1 ). Conclusion No locus raises genome-wide significance, but several signals with a nominal p-value point to relevant genes and pathways. Replication of the GWAS is ongoing on a cohort of 156 new patients with a less severe cardiopathy implanted with a cardioverter defibrillator in secondary prevention.