deCODE presents AF test data at AHA

Iceland's deCODE genetics presented data from large scale case-control studies in multiple populations that underscore the clinical utility of the deCODE AF test for improving the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation as a means to prevent stroke, at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, held in New Orleans.

The firm says the data demonstrate that the single-letter variations (SNPs) measured by deCODE AF are the most significant known genetic risk factors not only for AF, but also for ischemic, cryptogenic and large vessel stroke. The strong connection between AF and non-cardiogenic subtypes led the deCODE team to estimate that 20%-30% of these are likely due to undiagnosed, intermittent AF. This means that AF causes an even larger proportion of stroke than previously believed, making tools like deCODE AF all the more important, according to the firm.