Genetics of coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common disease caused by the interactions between genetic background and environments. Genetic determinant is one of the most important risk factors. By far, more than 160 susceptibility loci and several disease-causing genes have been identified through genome-wide scanning (linkage analysis and association analysis) and other techniques. Here, we summarize the CAD-associated loci, their biological processes and signaling pathways. The genome-wide gene-gene interactions as well as gene-environment interactions in the development of coronary artery disease and drug development are also discussed. Finally, we discuss the risk stratification of coronary artery disease and precision medical treatment based on different genetic backgrounds.