title: Galectin-3 in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an emerging biomarker in heart failure that is involved in fibrosis and inflammation. However, its potential value as a prognostic marker in atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of AF catheter ablation on Gal-3 and evaluate its prognostic impact for predicting rhythm outcome after catheter ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gal-3 was measured at baseline and after 6 months using specific ELISA. AF recurrences were defined as any atrial arrhythmia lasting longer than 30 sec within 6 months after ablation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 105 AF patients (65% males, age 62±9 years, 52% paroxysmal AF) undergoing catheter ablation, Gal-3 was measured at baseline and after 6 months and compared with an AF-free control cohort (n=14, 50 % males, age 58±11 years). Gal-3 was higher in AF patients compared with AF-free controls (7.8±2.9 vs. 5.8±1.8, ng/mL, p=0.013). However, on multivariable analysis, BMI (p=0.007) but not AF (p=0.068) was associated with Gal-3. In the AF cohort, on univariable analysis higher Gal-3 levels were associated with female gender (p=0.028), higher BMI (p=0.005) and both CHADS2 (p=0.008) and CHA2DS2-VASC (p=0.016) scores, however, on multivariable analysis only BMI remained significantly associated with baseline Gal-3 (p=0.016). Gal-3 was similar 6 months after AF catheter ablation and was not associated with sinus rhythm maintenance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although galectin-3 levels are higher in AF patients, this is driven by cardiometabolic co-morbidities and not heart rhythm. Gal-3 is not useful for predicting rhythm outcome of catheter ablation.
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Kornej
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Josephin
authors: J
authors: Schmidl
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Ueberham
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: John
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Sait
authors: S
authors: Daneschnejad
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Borislav
authors: B
authors: Dinov
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Hindricks
authors: Department of Cardiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Adams
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Husser
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Bollmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001798:Blood Proteins; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000097:blood*; D037161:Galectins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C428445:LGALS3 protein, human