Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is the most prevalent inherited dyslipidemia, and it predisposes individuals to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Genetic testing can Show more
Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is the most prevalent inherited dyslipidemia, and it predisposes individuals to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Genetic testing can provide a definitive diagnosis. The spectrum of causal DNA variants in Ontario patients with hypercholesterolemia is not fully defined. In Southwestern Ontario patients with a clinical diagnosis of HeFH, we performed targeted next-generation DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to determine the qualitative and quantitative spectrum of pathogenic and likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants. We observed 101 unique P/LP variants in 254 patients, of which 6 were novel This study provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical and genetic spectrum of HeFH in Southwestern Ontario. The P/LP variant diversity reflects historical colonization and later migration patterns both from across the world and interprovincially from Quebec. Show less