title: Response of circulating heat shock protein 70 and anti-heat shock protein 70 antibodies to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This pilot study investigated the association between heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and anti-HSP70 antibodies as well as their changes and rhythm outcome after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 67 patients with AF (59±11 years, 66% male, 66% lone AF) undergoing catheter ablation. Circulating HSP70 and anti-HSP70 antibody levels were quantified using commercially available assays before and 6 months after catheter ablation. Serial 7-day Holter ECGs were used to detect AF recurrences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, HSP70 was detectable in 14 patients (21%), but there was no correlation between clinical or echocardiographic variables and the presence or the level of HSP70. In contrast, patients with paroxysmal AF (n=39) showed lower anti-HSP70 antibodies (median [IQR] of 43 [28 - 62] μg/ml) than patients with persistent AF (n=28; 53 [41 - 85] μg/ml, p=0.035). Using multivariable regression analysis, AF type was the only variable associated with anti-HSP70 antibodies (Beta=0.342, p=0.008). At 6 months, HSP70 was present in 27 patients (41%, p<0.001 vs. baseline). Similarly, there was an increase of anti-HSP70 antibodies (48 [36 - 72] vs. 57 [43 - 87] μg/ml, p<0.001). AF recurrence rates were higher in patients with HSP70 increase ≥0.025 ng/ml (32 vs. 11%, p=0.038) or anti-HSP70 increase ≥2.5 μg/ml (26 vs. 4%, p=0.033).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HSP70 and anti-HSP70 antibodies may - at least in part - be associated in the progression of AF and AF recurrence after catheter ablation.
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center Leipzig, Strümpellstr, 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany. jelena.kornej@gmx.de
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Kornej
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Reinhardt
authors: Jedrzej
authors: J
authors: Kosiuk
authors: Arash
authors: A
authors: Arya
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Hindricks
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Adams
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Husser
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Bollmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins