Frerich S, Malik R, Georgakis MK, et al. - Using a Mendelian Randomization framework, genetic data were leveraged to systematically examine the correlations between cardiac traits and stroke risk.

• A total of 66 cardiac traits were studied including cardiovascular diseases, magnetic resonance imaging–derived cardiac imaging, echocardiographic imaging, and electrocardiographic measures, along with blood biomarkers in a 2-sample Mendelian Randomization approach.

• Data from the MEGASTROKE consortium (40,585 cases/406,111 controls) were retrieved to explore genetic predisposition to each trait for associations with risk of stroke and stroke subtypes.

• Strong independent relationships were observed between genetic predisposition to atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic stroke and between genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease as a proxy for atherosclerosis and large-artery stroke.

• As per available genetic data, cardiac traits do not exhibit substantial effects on the risk of stroke beyond known clinical risk factors.