Progress for Patients: SCAD ALLIANCE Partners with gVASC Genetics Research
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Contact: info@scadalliance.org
PROGRESS FOR PATIENTS: SCAD ALLIANCE PARTNERS WITH gVASC RESEARCH STUDY
New partnership with gVasc sets the foundation for genetic discovery into SCAD
Alexandria, VA (09/30/2025) — SCAD Alliance has teamed up with the Genetics of Vascular Disease (gVasc) Study, a direct-to-participant research initiative led by a team of cardiologists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The team includes Dr. Nandita Scott, Director of the Women’s Heart Health Program at MGH; Dr. Mark Lindsay, Director of the Cardiovascular Genetics Program at MGH; and Dr. Pradeep Natarajan, Director of Preventive Cardiology at MGH.
The gVasc Study aims to perform the largest deep sequencing project to date of individuals with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a nonatherosclerotic cause of heart attack. SCAD is the leading cause of heart attack in pregnant women and responsible for nearly a third of heart attacks in women under the age of 50. SCAD Alliance will use its vast patient network and social media outlets to inform individuals with SCAD about the opportunity to participate in gVasc.
Preliminary research has shown promise for studying human genetics in individuals with SCAD, respectively 80% women and 20% men. To date, Drs. Natarajan and Lindsay have performed whole exome sequencing of the DNA of 130 SCAD patients and found rare disruptive genetic variants in 10 genes associated with the production of fibrillar collagen. Individuals with SCAD were 1.75-fold more likely to carry disruptive rare variants within fibrillar collagen genes than individuals without SCAD.
Participation in gVasc is simple. Patients go directly to the gVasc website to self-enroll. They complete a consent form and brief medical history surveys online. An easy-to-use saliva kit is sent to the patient with instructions on returning the sample in the postage-paid box. Participants can complete the entire process from the comfort of their own home.
“The causes of SCAD are frustratingly poorly understood and multiple lines of evidence suggest that genetic factors may play an important role,” says Dr. Natarajan. “Discovering genetic contributors of conditions has led to important insights and medicines for various conditions. I am excited to partner with leaders in the SCAD community and patients to enable such discoveries.”
Dr. Esther Kim adds, “We’ve seen so much progress through our own iSCAD Registry, and the gVasc Study is the next important step in advancing the science of SCAD.” Dr. Kim is Chair of the SCAD Alliance Scientific Advisory Board and International Principal Investigator of the iSCAD Registry.
SCAD survivor Katherine K. Leon is co-founder and executive director of SCAD Alliance and speaks from experience. “All SCAD survivors wonder ‘why did my heart betray me.’ I had my SCAD heart attack at age 38 and I’m passionate about discovering why young, healthy women are impacted by this devastating form of myocardial infarction. We’re so grateful for this partnership with gVasc.”
More from our experts:
“We know almost nothing about the structural deficits within the coronary artery that place patients at risk for a dissection, but human genetics gives us a magnifying glass for the individual components of this complex biology.” – Dr. Mark Lindsay.
“Advancing research in this understudied area is essential—not only to improve patient care and provide clearer guidance on future risk, but also to offer reassurance and help patients feel more confident in their journey. The collaboration between iSCAD and gVasc, grounded in our shared desire to improve patient care, is key to driving this progress forward by bringing together the clinical and research expertise necessary to make meaningful impact.” – Dr. Nandita Scott.
“I am thrilled to initiate the collaboration between gVasc and SCAD Alliance. Both organizations are united by a shared mission to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of SCAD, with the long-term goal of informing ways to prevent occurrence.” – Dr. Tiffany Bellomo, Vascular Surgery resident at MGH and Medical Director of the gVasc study.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2789700
ABOUT SCAD ALLIANCE The mission of SCAD Alliance is to be the leader in advancing the science of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) through improved knowledge and cooperation among health care professionals, patients and their families. SCAD Alliance educates key audiences and fosters unique, interdisciplinary research collaborations, specifically the iSCAD Registry. Our vision is to empower each SCAD survivor with an accurate diagnosis, superior outcome and answers. https://scadalliance.org/
ABOUT GVASC gVasc is a study that empowers patients to participate in research to help advance our understanding of SCAD and other vascular abnormalities. Patients can share their clinical information, samples, and experiences. gVasc was founded by cardiologists and genetic researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. https://gvascstudy.org/aboutUs