The human genome hasn’t much application in cardiology because there are so many factors in play in heart and circulatory disease.

That explains the buzz this morning after a presention by University of Utah reseracher Jeffrey Anderson at one of the opening sessions of the College of Cardiology convention in New Orleans, reports George Jordan of The Star-Ledger of New Jersey.

Anderson and his research team have devised a genetic screening test to fine tune the dosage of the anticoagulant Warfarin, which he says is given to a million patients each year. The assay could be the first wide usage of pharmacogonomics, or genetic screening of heart patients.

Anderson’s paper was discussed with three other interesting studies, including papers about the benefits of low-dose aspirin v. high-dose aspirin after angioplasty and the impact of depression on heart attacks and strokes in elderly patients.

Press release describing the study.

Hat tip to George Jordan[tags]Genetic Testing, Human Genome, Warfarin[/tags]