Mendelian Randomization Analyses for Selection of Therapeutic Targets for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: a Note of Circumspection

Genetic factors identified from genome-wide association studies have been used to understand causative variants for complex diseases. Studies conducted on large populations of individuals from many geographical regions have provided insights into genetic pathways involved in the causal pathway for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A single genetic trait may ineffectively evaluate the pathway of interest, and it may not account for other complementary genetic pathways that may be activated at various stages of the disease process or evidence-based therapies that alter the molecular and cellular milieu.