Vascular Calcification and Heart Failure: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization and Mediation Analysis

This study reveals a bidirectional causal relationship between VC and HF through two-sample bidirectional MR, suggesting that early detection and management of VC are conducive to the prevention and treatment of HF, especially in high-risk populations such as those with ischemic heart disease. Controlling HF also helps delay the progression of VC and improve vascular status, which is the cornerstone of the prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases. Mediation analysis identifies AF as an important mediating factor, suggesting that screening and intervention of AF may be the key link to block the "VC → AF → HF" pathway, providing new genetic evidence for the prevention and treatment of HF.