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Background Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is causally associated with a high risk of coronary artery disease. Whether this also holds for a spectrum of peripheral vascular diseases is unknown. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether high LDL-C causally relates to risk of retinopathy, neuropathy, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the general population. Methods One-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) of 116,419 Danish individuals, 2-sample MR on summary-level data from the Global Lipid Genetics Consortium (GLGC) (n = 94,595) and the UK Biobank (n = 408,455), and meta-analysis of randomized statin trials (n = 64,134) were performed. Results Observationally, high LDL-C did not associate with high risk of retinopathy or neuropathy. There were stepwise increases in risk of CKD and PAD with higher LDL-C (both p for trend Conclusions High LDL-C was not causally associated with risk of retinopathy and neuropathy; however, high LDL-C was observationally and genetically associated with high risks of PAD and CKD, suggesting that LDL-C is causally involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol due to inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) reduces cardiovascular events and may therefore also reduce cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.This study tested the hypothesis that genetically low LDL cholesterol due to PCSK9 variation is causally associated with low cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population.A total of 109,566 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study and the Copenhagen City Heart Study were genotyped for PCSK9 R46L (rs11591147), R237W (rs148195424), I474V (rs562556), and E670G (rs505151). During a median follow-up of 10 years (range 0 to 42 years) and 1,247,225 person-years, there were 3,828 cardiovascular deaths and 16,373 deaths from any cause. Results were validated using data on 431,043 individuals from the UK Biobank.An increasing number of weighted PCSK9 alleles were associated with stepwise lower LDL cholesterol of up to 0.61 mmol/l (24 mg/dl; 18.2%; p for trend 0.001) and with lower cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.001), but not with lower all-cause mortality (p = 0.11). In causal, genetic analyses, a 0.5-mmol/l (19.4-mg/dl) lower LDL cholesterol was associated with risk ratios for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63 to 0.99; p = 0.04) and 1.02 (95% CI: 0.94 to 1.12; p = 0.63) in the Copenhagen studies, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.58 to 1.08; p = 0.14) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.87 to 1.10; p = 0.75) in the UK Biobank, and of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.95; p = 0.01) and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.94 to 1.08; p = 0.85), respectively, in studies combined.Genetically low LDL cholesterol due to PCSK9 variation was causally associated with low risk of cardiovascular mortality, but not with low all-cause mortality in the general population.

ObjectivesThe study sought to test the hypothesis that genetic variation in ABCG5/8, the transporter responsible for intestinal and hepatobiliary cholesterol efflux, may simultaneously influence plasma and biliary cholesterol levels, and hence risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and gallstone disease in opposite directions.BackgroundHigh plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are a causal risk factor for MI, whereas high levels of biliary cholesterol promote gallstone formation.MethodsA total of 60,239 subjects from Copenhagen were included, including 5,647 with MI and 3,174 with symptomatic gallstone disease. Subjects were genotyped for 6 common, nonsynonymous and functional variants in ABCG5/8, and a combined weighted genotype score was calculated.ResultsCombined, weighted genotype scores were associated with stepwise decreases in LDL cholesterol of up to 5.9% (0.20 mmol/l) for individuals with a score ≥8.0 (prevalence = 11%) versus

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine whether elevated lipoprotein(a) levels and corresponding LPA risk genotypes (rs10455872, rs3798220, kringle IV type 2 repeat polymorphism) prospectively associate with increased risk of aortic valve stenosis (AVS).BackgroundThe etiologic basis of AVS is unclear. Recent data implicate an LPA genetic variant (rs10455872), associated with Lp(a) levels, in calcific AVS.MethodsWe combined data from 2 prospective general population studies, the Copenhagen City Heart Study (1991 to 2011; n = 10,803) and the Copenhagen General Population Study (2003 to 2011; n = 66,877), following up 77,680 Danish participants for as long as 20 years, during which time 454 were diagnosed with AVS. We conducted observational and genetic instrumental variable analyses in a Mendelian randomization study design.ResultsElevated Lp(a) levels were associated with multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for AVS of 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8 to 1.7) for 22nd to 66th percentile levels (5 to 19 mg/dl), 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.4) for 67th to 89th percentile levels (20 to 64 mg/dl), 2.0 (95% CI: 1.2 to 3.4) for 90th to 95th percentile levels (65 to 90 mg/dl), and 2.9 (95% CI: 1.8 to 4.9) for levels greater than 95th percentile (>90 mg/dl), versus levels less than the 22nd percentile (90 mg/dl predicting a threefold increased risk.

ObjectivesThis study tested whether genetic variation in the CETP gene is consistent with a protective effect of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition on risk of ischemic events and on total mortality, without the adverse effects reported for torcetrapib.BackgroundTorcetrapib, an inhibitor of CETP, increased risk of death and ischemic cardiovascular disease of those randomized to the drug, despite improving the lipid profile.MethodsThe Copenhagen City Heart Study is a prospective cohort study of 10,261 individuals, aged 20 to 93 years, who were followed for up to 34 years (1976 to 2010). Of these, 2,087 developed ischemic heart disease, 1,064 developed ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and 3,807 died during follow-up. We selected 2 common genetic variants in CETP previously associated with reductions in CETP activity, thus mimicking the effect of pharmacological CETP inhibition.ResultsIn individuals carrying 4 versus 0 high-density lipoprotein cholesterol–increasing alleles, there was an increase in levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of up to 14% (0.2 mmol/l), and concomitant decreases in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of, respectively, 6% (0.1 mmol/l), 3% (0.1 mmol/l), and 4% (0.2 mmol/l) (p for trend 0.004 to

Objectives The purpose of this study was to test whether elevated nonfasting glucose levels associate with and cause ischemic heart disease (IHD) and myocardial infarction (MI). Background Elevated fasting plasma glucose levels associate with increased risk of IHD, but whether this is also true for nonfasting levels and whether this is a causal relationship is unknown. Methods Using a Mendelian randomization approach, we studied 80,522 persons from Copenhagen, Denmark. Of those, IHD developed in 14,155, and MI developed in 6,257. Subjects were genotyped for variants in GCK (rs4607517), G6PC2 (rs560887), ADCY5 (rs11708067), DGKB (rs2191349), and ADRA2A (rs10885122) associated with elevated fasting glucose levels in genome-wide association studies. Results Risk of IHD and MI increased stepwise with increasing nonfasting glucose levels. The hazard ratio for IHD in subjects with nonfasting glucose levels ≥11 mmol/l (≥198 mg/dl) versus Conclusions Like common nonfasting glucose elevation, plasma glucose-increasing polymorphisms associate with increased risk of IHD and MI. These data are compatible with a causal association.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to test whether the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) with increased risk of atrial fibrillation is a robust and perhaps even causal association. Background Elevated levels of CRP previously have been associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Methods We studied 10,276 individuals from the prospective Copenhagen City Heart Study, including 771 individuals who had atrial fibrillation during follow-up, and another 36,600 persons from the cross-sectional Copenhagen General Population Study, including 1,340 cases with atrial fibrillation. Individuals were genotyped for 4 CRPgene polymorphisms and had high-sensitivity CRP levels measured. Results A CRP level in the upper versus lower quintile associated with a 2.19-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54- to 3.10-fold) increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Risk estimates attenuated slightly after multifactorial adjustment to 1.77 (95% CI: 1.22 to 2.55), and after additional adjustment for heart failure and plasma fibrinogen level to 1.47 (95% CI: 1.02 to 2.13) and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.21 to 2.20), respectively. Genotype combinations of the 4 CRPpolymorphisms associated with up to a 63% increase in plasma CRP levels (p Conclusions Elevated plasma CRP robustly associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation; however, genetically elevated CRP levels did not. This suggests that elevated plasma CRP per se does not increase atrial fibrillation risk.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of PCSK9R46L on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), and mortality.Background: The 46L alle...

Objectives This study was designed to test the hypotheses that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in zinc finger protein 202 (ZNF202), predict severe atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Background ZNF202 is a transcriptional repressor controlling promoter elements in genes involved in vascular maintenance and lipid metabolism. Methods We first determined genotype association for 9 ZNF202 SNPs with severe atherosclerosis (ankle brachial index >0.7 vs. ≤0.7) in a cross-sectional study of 5,355 individuals from the Danish general population. We then determined genotype association with IHD in 10,431 individuals from the Danish general population, the CCHS (Copenhagen City Heart Study), including 1,511 incident IHD events during 28 years of follow-up. Results were verified in 2 independent case-control studies including, respectively, 942 and 1,549 cases with IHD and 8,998 controls. Finally, we determined whether g.−660A>G altered transcriptional activity of the ZNF202 promoter in vitro. Results Cross-sectionally, ZNF202 g.−660 GG versus AA homozygosity predicted an odds ratio for severe atherosclerosis of 2.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34 to 3.01). Prospectively, GG versus AA homozygosity predicted a hazard ratio for IHD of 1.21 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.43). In the 2 case-control studies, the equivalent odds ratios for IHD were 1.29 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.62) and 1.60 (95% CI: 1.34 to 1.92), confirming the results from the prospective study. Only 2 other SNPs, which were highly correlated with g.−660A>G, also predicted risk of severe atherosclerosis and IHD. Finally, ZNF202 g.−660G versus g.−660A was associated with a 60% reduction in transcriptional activity in vitro, whereas none of the 2 correlated SNPs were predicted to be functional. Conclusions Homozygosity for a common functional promoter variant in ZNF202 predicts severe atherosclerosis and an increased risk of IHD.

We read with great interest the recent paper by Ference et al. [(1)][1] using genetic variants in NPC1L1 (target for ezetimibe) and HMGCR (target for statins) to predict the effect of ezetimibe and statins on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and risk of coronary heart disease. Ezetimibe

Objectives We tested the hypothesis that platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa PlA2/PlA2homozygotes or PlA1/PlA2heterozygotes versus PlA1/PlA1noncarriers have increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction (MI), stratified for age and gender. Background The GP IIb/IIIa PlA1/PlA2polymorphism influences aggregation of platelets; however, an association between ischemic cardiovascular disease and heterozygosity remains controversial, and association with homozygosity is largely unexplored. Methods We genotyped the participants of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, a prospective cardiovascular investigation of the Danish general population (n = 9,149, 22-year follow-up) and assessed the risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease in heterozygotes or homozygotes versus noncarriers. Results Of the participants, 70.0%, 27.3%, and 2.7% were noncarriers, heterozygotes, or homozygotes, respectively. Incidence of ischemic cardiovascular disease was 167 and 103 per 10,000 person-years in homozygous and noncarrier men (log-rank: p = 0.006), whereas this difference was not observed in women (p = 0.33) (genotype·gender interaction: p = 0.03). In homozygous versus noncarrier men 50 years at entry, age-adjusted relative risks (RRs) of ischemic cardiovascular disease were 3.6 (1.4 to 9.0), 2.4 (1.3 to 4.6), and 1.0 (0.6 to 1.8), respectively (age·genotype interaction in men: p = 0.04); equivalent multifactorially adjusted RRs were 3.0 (1.1 to 8.0), 2.0 (1.0 to 3.9), and 1.0 (0.6 to 1.8), respectively. The corresponding age-adjusted RR values of MI in men were 5.2 (1.5 to 18), 3.5 (1.6 to 7.5), and 0.5 (0.1 to 1.5), respectively (age·genotype interaction in men: p = 0.002); equivalent multifactorially adjusted RRs were 3.8 (1.0 to 15), 3.1 (1.4 to 6.9), and 0.5 (0.2 to 1.5), respectively. Conclusions PlA2/PlA2homozygosity is associated with a three-fold and four-fold risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease and MI in young men.

Objectives We investigated associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the hepatic lipase promoter, levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Our primary hypothesis was that these SNPs associate with IHD after adjustment for HDL levels. Background Hepatic lipase influences HDL metabolism, and may thus affect reverse cholesterol transport and consequently risk of IHD. Methods We genotyped 9,121 white subjects aged 20 to 93 years from the Copenhagen City Heart Study, 456 of whom had incident IHD, as well as 921 Danish patients with IHD for the −216, −480, and −729 SNPs in the hepatic lipase promoter. Results Frequencies of wild-type, triple heterozygotes, and triple mutation homozygotes in the general population were 61%, 33%, and 5%, respectively. Compared with wild-type, HDL cholesterol levels were 4% (0.06 mmol/l) and 10% (0.15 mmol/l) higher in heterozygotes and mutation homozygotes; the equivalent values for apolipoprotein A1 were 3% and 7% higher. In prospective and case-control studies, mutation homozygotes versus wild-type had relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) for IHD of 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0 to 2.2) and 1.4 (CI: 1.1 to 1.9) when adjusted for age, gender, and HDL cholesterol. In individuals with the ϵ43 apolipoprotein E genotype, RR and OR for IHD in mutation homozygotes versus wild-type was 2.9 (CI: 1.5 to 5.6) and 2.0 (CI: 1.2 to 3.2). Conclusions Hepatic lipase promoter SNPs are associated with increased HDL cholesterol and, paradoxically, an increased risk of IHD after adjustment for HDL cholesterol, and particularly in individuals with apolipoprotein E ϵ43 genotype. Implications are that increased HDL levels may in certain situations be not protective, but rather associated with increased IHD risk.

OBJECTIVES We tested the hypothesis that risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) differs as a function of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype in women and men. BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein E genotype influences lipids and lipoproteins and, therefore, possibly the risk of IHD. METHODS We genotyped 9,241 white women and men from the general population and 940 white women and men with IHD. RESULTS Test of interaction suggested that APOE genotype may influence risk of IHD differently in women and men (p = 0.07). After age adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) for IHD for epsilon32 versus epsilon33 women was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35 to 0.94) while epsilon43 and epsilon44 versus epsilon33 men had ORs of 1.16 (0.96 to 1.41) and 1.58 (1.01 to 2.45). After adjustment for age and other conventional cardiovascular risk factors, the equivalent ORs were for epsilon32 women 0.38 (0.18 to 0.79), for epsilon43 men 1.35 (1.02-1.78) and for epsilon44 men 1.58 (0.80 to 3.08). Equivalent ORs for epsilon43 and epsilon44 versus epsilon33 women and for epsilon32 versus epsilon33 men were all close to 1.0 and nonsignificant. Of the total risk of IHD relative to the epsilon33 genotype, the fraction attributed to epsilon32 in women was -9%, while the fractions attributed to epsilon43 and epsilon44 in men were +8% and +2%. CONCLUSIONS Relative to epsilon33 individuals, epsilon32 women are protected while epsilon43 and epsilon44 men are particularly susceptible to IHD.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the role of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2)-IIA in cardiovascular disease.BACKGROUND: Higher circulating levels of sPLA2-IIA mass or sPLA2 enzyme activity have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, it is not clear if this association is causal. A recent phase III clinical trial of an sPLA2 inhibitor (varespladib) was stopped prematurely for lack of efficacy.METHODS: We conducted a Mendelian randomization meta-analysis of 19 general population studies (8,021 incident, 7,513 prevalent major vascular events [MVE] in 74,683 individuals) and 10 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cohorts (2,520 recurrent MVE in 18,355 individuals) using rs11573156, a variant in PLA2G2A encoding the sPLA2-IIA isoenzyme, as an instrumental variable.RESULTS: PLA2G2A rs11573156 C allele associated with lower circulating sPLA2-IIA mass (38% to 44%) and sPLA2 enzyme activity (3% to 23%) per C allele. The odds ratio (OR) for MVE per rs11573156 C allele was 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98 to 1.06) in general populations and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.90 to 1.03) in ACS cohorts. In the general population studies, the OR derived from the genetic instrumental variable analysis for MVE for a 1-log unit lower sPLA2-IIA mass was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.96 to 1.13), and differed from the non-genetic observational estimate (OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.79). In the ACS cohorts, both the genetic instrumental variable and observational ORs showed a null association with MVE. Instrumental variable analysis failed to show associations between sPLA2 enzyme activity and MVE.CONCLUSIONS: Reducing sPLA2-IIA mass is unlikely to be a useful therapeutic goal for preventing cardiovascular events.

The purpose of this study was to test whether the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) with increased risk of atrial fibrillation is a robust and perhaps even causal association.Elevated levels of CRP previously have been associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation.We studied 10,276 individuals from the prospective Copenhagen City Heart Study, including 771 individuals who had atrial fibrillation during follow-up, and another 36,600 persons from the cross-sectional Copenhagen General Population Study, including 1,340 cases with atrial fibrillation. Individuals were genotyped for 4 CRP gene polymorphisms and had high-sensitivity CRP levels measured.A CRP level in the upper versus lower quintile associated with a 2.19-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54- to 3.10-fold) increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Risk estimates attenuated slightly after multifactorial adjustment to 1.77 (95% CI: 1.22 to 2.55), and after additional adjustment for heart failure and plasma fibrinogen level to 1.47 (95% CI: 1.02 to 2.13) and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.21 to 2.20), respectively. Genotype combinations of the 4 CRP polymorphisms associated with up to a 63% increase in plasma CRP levels (p0.001), but not with increased risk of atrial fibrillation. The estimated causal odds ratio for atrial fibrillation by instrumental variable analysis for a doubling in genetically elevated CRP levels was lower than the odds ratio for atrial fibrillation observed for a doubling in plasma CRP on logistic regression (0.94 [95% CI: 0.70 to 1.27] vs. 1.36 [95% CI: 1.30 to 1.44]; p0.001).Elevated plasma CRP robustly associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation; however, genetically elevated CRP levels did not. This suggests that elevated plasma CRP per se does not increase atrial fibrillation risk.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of PCSK9 R46L on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), and mortality.The 46L allele has been associated with reductions in LDL-C and risk of IHD, but results vary between studies.We determined the association of R46L genotype with LDL-C, risk of IHD, myocardial infarction (MI), and mortality in the prospective CCHS (Copenhagen City Heart Study) (n = 10,032) and validated the results in: 1) the cross-sectional CGPS (Copenhagen General Population Study) (n = 26,013); and 2) the case-control CIHDS (Copenhagen Ischemic Heart Disease Study) (n = 9,654). We also performed meta-analyses of present and previous studies (n = 66,698).In carriers (2.6%) versus noncarriers, the 46L allele was associated with reductions in LDL-C of 0.35 to 0.55 mmol/l (11% to 16%) from 20 to 80+ years in the general population (CCHS and CGPS; p values0.0001). Observed risk reductions for IHD in 46L allele carriers were: 6% in the CCHS study (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68 to 1.31), 46% in the CGPS study (odds ratio [OR]: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.77), 18% in the CIHDS study (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.21), and 30% in the studies combined (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.86). In the CCHS study, HR for mortality was 1.18 (95% CI: 0.93 to 1.50). In meta-analyses, 46L allele carriers had a 12% (0.43 mmol/l) reduction in LDL-C and a 28% reduction in risk of IHD (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.84), similar to results in the CCHS, CGPS, and CIHDS studies combined. However, the observed 12% (0.43 mmol/l) reduction in LDL-C theoretically predicted an only 5% reduction in risk of IHD (HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92 to 0.97).The PCSK9 46L allele was associated with reductions in LDL-C from 20 to 80+ years in the general population. The reduction in risk of IHD was larger than predicted by the observed reduction in LDL-C alone. This could be because genotype is a better predictor of lifelong exposure to LDL-C than LDL-C measured in adult life.

We thank Wurtz and colleagues for their positive comments on our recent paper [(1)][1] on remnant cholesterol (remnant-C) as a causal risk factor for ischemic heart disease. We naturally agree that lipoprotein metabolism is very complex, with many subclasses of lipoproteins and different lipid

We tested the hypothesis that platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa Pl(A2)/Pl(A2) homozygotes or Pl(A1)/Pl(A2) heterozygotes versus Pl(A1)/Pl(A1) noncarriers have increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction (MI), stratified for age and gender.The GP IIb/IIIa Pl(A1)/Pl(A2) polymorphism influences aggregation of platelets; however, an association between ischemic cardiovascular disease and heterozygosity remains controversial, and association with homozygosity is largely unexplored.We genotyped the participants of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, a prospective cardiovascular investigation of the Danish general population (n = 9,149, 22-year follow-up) and assessed the risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease in heterozygotes or homozygotes versus noncarriers.Of the participants, 70.0%, 27.3%, and 2.7% were noncarriers, heterozygotes, or homozygotes, respectively. Incidence of ischemic cardiovascular disease was 167 and 103 per 10,000 person-years in homozygous and noncarrier men (log-rank: p = 0.006), whereas this difference was not observed in women (p = 0.33) (genotype.gender interaction: p = 0.03). In homozygous versus noncarrier men40 years of age, 40 to 50 years, and50 years at entry, age-adjusted relative risks (RRs) of ischemic cardiovascular disease were 3.6 (1.4 to 9.0), 2.4 (1.3 to 4.6), and 1.0 (0.6 to 1.8), respectively (age.genotype interaction in men: p = 0.04); equivalent multifactorially adjusted RRs were 3.0 (1.1 to 8.0), 2.0 (1.0 to 3.9), and 1.0 (0.6 to 1.8), respectively. The corresponding age-adjusted RR values of MI in men were 5.2 (1.5 to 18), 3.5 (1.6 to 7.5), and 0.5 (0.1 to 1.5), respectively (age.genotype interaction in men: p = 0.002); equivalent multifactorially adjusted RRs were 3.8 (1.0 to 15), 3.1 (1.4 to 6.9), and 0.5 (0.2 to 1.5), respectively.Pl(A2)/Pl(A2) homozygosity is associated with a three-fold and four-fold risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease and MI in young men.

We tested the hypothesis that risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) differs as a function of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype in women and men.Apolipoprotein E genotype influences lipids and lipoproteins and, therefore, possibly the risk of IHD.We genotyped 9,241 white women and men from the general population and 940 white women and men with IHD.Test of interaction suggested that APOE genotype may influence risk of IHD differently in women and men (p = 0.07). After age adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) for IHD for epsilon32 versus epsilon33 women was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35 to 0.94) while epsilon43 and epsilon44 versus epsilon33 men had ORs of 1.16 (0.96 to 1.41) and 1.58 (1.01 to 2.45). After adjustment for age and other conventional cardiovascular risk factors, the equivalent ORs were for epsilon32 women 0.38 (0.18 to 0.79), for epsilon43 men 1.35 (1.02-1.78) and for epsilon44 men 1.58 (0.80 to 3.08). Equivalent ORs for epsilon43 and epsilon44 versus epsilon33 women and for epsilon32 versus epsilon33 men were all close to 1.0 and nonsignificant. Of the total risk of IHD relative to the epsilon33 genotype, the fraction attributed to epsilon32 in women was -9%, while the fractions attributed to epsilon43 and epsilon44 in men were +8% and +2%.Relative to epsilon33 individuals, epsilon32 women are protected while epsilon43 and epsilon44 men are particularly susceptible to IHD.

Batalla and colleagues found in a sample of 220 Spanish men with coronary heart disease that frequencies of epsilon43 and epsilon44 genotypes did not differ from those among 200 age-matched controls. In contrast, we observed in the Danish population (by comparing genotype frequencies in 693 male

ObjectivesWe tested the hypothesis that platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa PlA2/PlA2homozygotes or PlA1/PlA2heterozygotes versus PlA1/PlA1noncarriers have increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction (MI), stratified for age and gender.BackgroundThe GP IIb/IIIa PlA1/PlA2polymorphism influences aggregation of platelets; however, an association between ischemic cardiovascular disease and heterozygosity remains controversial, and association with homozygosity is largely unexplored.MethodsWe genotyped the participants of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, a prospective cardiovascular investigation of the Danish general population (n = 9,149, 22-year follow-up) and assessed the risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease in heterozygotes or homozygotes versus noncarriers.ResultsOf the participants, 70.0%, 27.3%, and 2.7% were noncarriers, heterozygotes, or homozygotes, respectively. Incidence of ischemic cardiovascular disease was 167 and 103 per 10,000 person-years in homozygous and noncarrier men (log-rank: p = 0.006), whereas this difference was not observed in women (p = 0.33) (genotype·gender interaction: p = 0.03). In homozygous versus noncarrier men 50 years at entry, age-adjusted relative risks (RRs) of ischemic cardiovascular disease were 3.6 (1.4 to 9.0), 2.4 (1.3 to 4.6), and 1.0 (0.6 to 1.8), respectively (age·genotype interaction in men: p = 0.04); equivalent multifactorially adjusted RRs were 3.0 (1.1 to 8.0), 2.0 (1.0 to 3.9), and 1.0 (0.6 to 1.8), respectively. The corresponding age-adjusted RR values of MI in men were 5.2 (1.5 to 18), 3.5 (1.6 to 7.5), and 0.5 (0.1 to 1.5), respectively (age·genotype interaction in men: p = 0.002); equivalent multifactorially adjusted RRs were 3.8 (1.0 to 15), 3.1 (1.4 to 6.9), and 0.5 (0.2 to 1.5), respectively.ConclusionsPlA2/PlA2homozygosity is associated with a three-fold and four-fold risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease and MI in young men.

ObjectivesThe study tested whether extreme lipoprotein(a) levels and/or corresponding LPA risk genotypes improve myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction beyond conventional risk factors.BackgroundElevated lipoprotein(a) levels cause MI and CHD. Levels are primarily determined by variation in the LPA gene.MethodsWe followed 8,720 Danish participants in a general population study from 1991 to 1994 through 2011 without losses to follow-up. During this period, 730 and 1,683 first-time MI and CHD events occurred. Using predefined cutpoints for extreme lipoprotein(a) levels and/or corresponding LPA risk genotypes (kringle IV type 2 [KIV-2]) repeat polymorphism, rs3798220, and rs10455872 single nucleotide polymorphisms), we calculated net reclassification indices from

OBJECTIVES We tested whether heterozygosity for the K776N mutation (frequency: 0.4%) in ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) predicted ischemic heart disease (IHD) in the Copenhagen City Heart Study population. BACKGROUND In a complex trait like IHD, genetic variation is considered to be conferred by common DNA polymorphisms, although rare mutations may have a larger impact. Tangier disease, a rare high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) deficiency syndrome with IHD, is caused by homozygous ABCA1 mutations. METHODS We analyzed blood samples from a large cohort study of 9,076 Danish individuals followed for 24 years (167,287 person-years), during which 1,033 incident IHD events occurred. The hypothesis was retested in an independent case-control study comparing 562 IHD patients with 3,103 controls. RESULTS The cumulative incidence of IHD as a function of age was increased in K776N heterozygotes compared with non-carriers (log-rank test: p = 0.005). At the age of 80 years, 48% of heterozygotes and 23% of non-carriers had IHD. Incidence rates in non-carriers and K776N heterozygotes were 61 and 157 per 10,000 person-years. The age-adjusted hazard ratio for IHD in K776N heterozygotes versus non-carriers was 2.4 (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 4.5). Adjusting for HDL-C, or for smoking, diabetes, and hypertension did not change the result, suggesting that genotype predicted risk of IHD beyond that offered by HDL-C, and by other conventional risk factors. Similar trends were obtained in an independent case-control study. CONCLUSIONS Heterozygosity for an ABCA1 mutation (K776N) conferred two- to three-fold risk of IHD in 37 participants in the Copenhagen City Heart study.

OBJECTIVESWe tested the hypothesis that risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) differs as a function of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype in women and men.BACKGROUNDApolipoprotein E genotype influences lipids and lipoproteins and, therefore, possibly the risk of IHD.METHODSWe genotyped 9,241 white women and men from the general population and 940 white women and men with IHD.RESULTSTest of interaction suggested that APOE genotype may influence risk of IHD differently in women and men (p = 0.07). After age adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) for IHD for epsilon32 versus epsilon33 women was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35 to 0.94) while epsilon43 and epsilon44 versus epsilon33 men had ORs of 1.16 (0.96 to 1.41) and 1.58 (1.01 to 2.45). After adjustment for age and other conventional cardiovascular risk factors, the equivalent ORs were for epsilon32 women 0.38 (0.18 to 0.79), for epsilon43 men 1.35 (1.02–1.78) and for epsilon44 men 1.58 (0.80 to 3.08). Equivalent ORs for epsilon43 and epsilon44 versus epsilon33 women and for epsilon32 versus epsilon33 men were all close to 1.0 and nonsignificant. Of the total risk of IHD relative to the epsilon33 genotype, the fraction attributed to epsilon32 in women was −9%, while the fractions attributed to epsilon43 and epsilon44 in men were +8% and +2%.CONCLUSIONSRelative to epsilon33 individuals, epsilon32 women are protected while epsilon43 and epsilon44 men are particularly susceptible to IHD.