Plasma YKL-40, a new biomarker for atrial fibrillation?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine changes in a new potential biomarker plasma YKL-40 in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) before and after electrical cardioversion (CV).


RESULTS
Plasma concentrations of YKL-40 were measured in 56 patients (mean age 65 years, range 34-84) with persistent AF (lasting mean 128 days, range 14-960), in 19 age-matched patients with permanent AF, and in 19 healthy subjects. The patients with persistent AF underwent CV. Plasma YKL-40 was measured prior to CV, and at follow-up after 24 h, 30 and 180 days. Patients with persistent AF had lower plasma YKL-40 than patients with permanent AF [70 microg/L (42-105)] vs. [138 microg/L (48-225)] (P = 0.003), and higher levels than healthy subjects [41 microg/L (29-52)] (P = 0.001). Patients (n = 22) who were still in sinus rhythm (SR) at follow-up 30 days after CV had unchanged plasma YKL-40 compared with baseline levels. The baseline levels of YKL-40 were correlated to the levels of IL-6, but not to high sensitivity C-reactive protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with AF have significantly elevated levels of YKL-40. YKL-40 was not a significant predictor of successful CV to SR. Plasma levels of YKL-40 did not fall after restoration of SR.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory 2014, The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
Kristoffer Mads
KM
Henningsen
Susette Krohn
SK
Therkelsen
Julia Sidenius
JS
Johansen
Helle
H
Bruunsgaard
Jesper Hastrup
JH
Svendsen
D054392:Adipokines; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors
D054392:Adipokines; D015415:Biomarkers; C084533:CHI3L1 protein, human; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins