Although, several genes have been shown to be altered in syndromic and non-syndromic cases with CHD and TAA (e.g. HEY2 [36], MYH11 and NOTCH1 [37]), among the 10 genes significant in our analysis for TAA, CHD and the combined scenario, none has been reported previously to be associated with either CHD or TAA. This evidence concerns the gene HEY2 and coronary artery disorder.