Tiny bits of RNA give a new window into adult congenital heart disease
Stanford Medicine featured Dr. Weldy’s research showing that tiny pieces of RNA (microRNAs) in the blood hold clues to heart problems in adults born with tetralogy of Fallot, a common form of congenital heart disease.
The study — published in PLOS ONE — measured microRNA expression in the bloodstream of adults who had surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot and also received heart imaging. Researchers found that specific microRNA patterns correlated with enlargement of the right ventricle, a key sign of ventricular dysfunction not always fully captured by standard echocardiograms.
Because microRNAs regulate gene activity and can be measured noninvasively, the findings suggest a promising approach to improve early detection of right heart failure — especially in patients whose imaging results fall into ambiguous categories.
Read the Stanford Medicine feature
Tiny bits of RNA give window into adult congenital heart disease in Stanford study →
Original publication
- Weldy CS, et al. PLOS ONE (2020). MicroRNA profiles correlate with right ventricular enlargement in adults with tetralogy of Fallot. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241476