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Large-Scale Genomic Biobanks and Cardiovascular Disease

  • Cardiovascular Genomics (TL Assimes, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of review

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is the focus of extensive biomedical research. Large genetic consortia combining data from many traditional prospective cohort and ascertained case-control study designs have facilitated the discovery of genetic associations for a variety of cardiovascular diseases including diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. Biobank-based genetic studies offer an alternative whereby large populations are genotyped and linked to electronic health records.

Recent findings

Biobank sample sizes worldwide have surpassed even the largest genetic consortia and have yielded key insights into the genetic determinants of both common and rare cardiovascular phenotypes.

Summary

Herein, we provide an overview of the largest genomic biobanks and discuss the relevant advantages and challenges inherent to the biobank model of cohort generation and genomic study design.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Aeron M. Small

  2. Cardiology Section, Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA

    Christopher J. O’Donnell

  3. Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Christopher J. O’Donnell

  4. Million Veteran Program, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Washington, DC, USA

    Christopher J. O’Donnell

  5. Corporal Michael Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Scott M. Damrauer

  6. Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Scott M. Damrauer

  7. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 4 Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-5158, USA

    Scott M. Damrauer

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  1. Aeron M. Small
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Correspondence to Scott M. Damrauer.

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Aeron M. Small, Christopher J. O’Donnell, and Scott M. Damrauer declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Cardiovascular Genomics

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Small, A.M., O’Donnell, C.J. & Damrauer, S.M. Large-Scale Genomic Biobanks and Cardiovascular Disease. Curr Cardiol Rep 20, 22 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-018-0969-8

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