The Genetic Basis for Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is reaching epidemic proportions in the aging U.S. and European
populations, but the mechanisms of increased susceptibility to atrial fibrillation are still
unknown. In this study, the investigators look to further examine genetic and medical
co-morbidity influence of atrial fibrillation duration and response to medications. In
Specific Aim 1, the investigators propose the creation of a Veterans Affairs AF Biorepository
(VAAFBio), which is a resource that will collect and store clinical, demographic, blood and
DNA samples from patients with atrial fibrillation to aide this study and future studies of
this type in the VA population. In Specific Aim 2, the investigators will examine common
genetic polymorphisms in veteran patients with atrial fibrillation and examine
gene-environment interactions with risk factors for atrial fibrillation.

Patients will be identified through the VA inpatient and outpatient clinic, and will be
approached for inclusion in the study. The target enrollment for the research and
biorepository is 600 participants. A detailed family history, medical background, study
questionnaires and a blood sample will then be obtained by the principal investigator or a
research coordinator, following written informed consent under a protocol approved by the
Jesse Brown VA Institutional Review Board. Once enough samples are collected, coded DNA
samples will be sent out to analyze for linkage to known/candidate loci for AF.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Subjects must be at least 18 years of age, and up to 100.

- Subjects must have a documented history of atrial fibrillation by ECG, ECHO, and or
Holter monitor event recorder.

- Subjects must be willing to give written, informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with a history of AF or atrial flutter that is only associated with cardiac
surgery will be excluded from the study.

- Subjects who cannot speak English will be excluded from the study.