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Best Practices Defined for Genetic Testing in Cardiac & Vascular Diseases BY DANIEL BRANTLEY GENE TIC TESTING FOR CERTAIN CARDIOVA SCUL AR DISE A SES MAY PROVIDE INSIGHT FOR PATIENT CARE. IN RECENT YE ARS, the understanding and use of genomics to enhance patient health has received significant attention. While genomics is seen in a growing number of medical specialties, research for its use within cardiovascular medicine has been lacking. As it stands, genomics as a diagnostic and treatment tool for cardiovascular disease has captured the attention of some physicians, but the question of when it is appropriate to utilize such technology is now being asked and answered. Recently, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement outlining current best practices for utilizing genetic testing in cardiovascular patients. Operating on behalf of a conglomerate of organizations focused on cardiovascular concerns — including the American Heart Association Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine; the Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biolog y (ATVB); the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and the Council on Clinical Cardiology — a group of medical researchers led by Kiran Musunuru, MD, PhD, MPH, ML, Director of the Genetic and Epigenetic Origins of Disease Program at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (Philadelphia), wrote the AHA scientific statement detailing the appropriateness of genetic testing for heart disease. WHEN TO USE CARDIOVASCULAR GENETIC TESTING A family history of heart disease alone is not sufficient cause for heart-related genetic testing, as only certain cardiovascular conditions are inheritable. The AHA scientific statement clarifies that genetic testing should be reserved for individuals with diagnosed or suspected inherited heart conditions, including: + Arrhythmias + Cardiomyopathies + Familial hypercholesterolemia + Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections In addition to the suspicion or presence of one of these condi- tions, individuals may also be candidates for genetic testing for 1 2