Vascular Diseases Biorepository

For the purpose of discovering novel biomarkers (including genetic markers) of vascular diseases, the Atherosclerosis and Lipid Genomics Laboratory created a vascular diseases biorepository for common vascular diseases, including:

  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Aortic aneurysm
  • Carotid artery stenosis
  • Fibromuscular dysplasia

In addition, electronic health record (EHR)-based algorithms are used to ascertain conventional risk factors. Through March 2016, the Atherosclerosis and Lipid Genomics Lab has enrolled about 12,000 participants, of whom about 10,000 have been genotyped by high-density arrays.

The vascular diseases biorepository includes DNA, serum and plasma samples, which are obtained from patients for noninvasive arterial ultrasound or extremity evaluation.

These samples are linked with demographic information, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, and comorbidities ascertained from Mayo Clinic's electronic health record using EHR-based electronic phenotyping algorithms.

The vascular diseases biorepository is enabling research into vascular disease biomarkers, promoting understanding of the biology underlying atherosclerosis, and accelerating the implementation of individualized medicine.

Qatar Cardiovascular Biorepository (QCBio)

The Qatar Cardiovascular Biorepository (QCBio) is a collaborative effort between Mayo Clinic and the Hamad Medical Corp. in Doha, Qatar.

Cases include patients needing percutaneous intervention for symptomatic coronary heart disease (CHD) or admitted with an acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction or unstable angina). Controls are individuals identified from the Hamad Medical Corp. blood bank who have no history of CHD.

The goal of QCBio is to archive plasma and DNA of 1,000 Qatari patients with coronary heart disease and 1,000 controls, who are matched on age, sex and ethnicity.

Relevant risk factors and comorbid conditions will be ascertained by EHR-based electronic phenotyping algorithms that include diagnosis and procedure codes, medication use and laboratory data.

Processes promote use of the biorepository by Qatari investigators by facilitating access to the repository for biomarker research, while maintaining the highest ethical standards, with emphases on patient confidentiality and stewardship of the biospecimens.

Investigators

  • Mayo Clinic: Iftikhar J. Kullo, M.D.
  • Qatar: Ayman El-Menyar, M.B., Ch.B.; Jassim Al Suwaidi, M.B., Ch.B.

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