Association of Polygenic Risk Scores With Aortic Valve Calcium: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Journal of the American Heart Association 2026 Open access

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Authors: Seamus P. Whelton, Jie Yao, Clary Clish, Alexis C. Wood, Kent D. Taylor, Michael J. Blaha, Matt Budoff, Natalie Marrero, George Thanassoulis, Wendy S. Post, Xiuqing Guo, Jerome I. Rotter
DOI: 10.1161/jaha.124.040064
Cited by: 1
References: 56

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is the primary process leading to aortic stenosis. We examined whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) are associated with AVC beyond traditional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors. METHODS: We included 6812 participants in MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) with computed tomography-measured AVC at Visit 1. Using previously published PRS we calculated weighted PRS, standardized within each ancestry group. The cross-sectional association per 1 SD higher PRS with AVC >0 was examined using multivariable logistic regression modeling with Bonferroni correction. The mean age was 62 years old, 53% were female, and 913 (13.4%) had AVC >0 at baseline. RESULTS: 0 strongly suggests significant differences exist in the calcification pathways for AVC and coronary artery calcium.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cardiac Valve Diseases and Treatments Genetic Associations and Epidemiology Cardiac Imaging and Diagnostics

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of the American Heart Association
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Volume
15
Issue
10
Pages
e040064–e040064
Publication date
6 May 2026
Language
EN