title: [Effect of asymmetrical dimethylarginine for predicting pro-thrombotic risk in atrial fibrillation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is responsible for some thromboembolic events. Asymmetrical dimethylarginine(ADMA) increases in atrial fibrillation(AF) animals with dysfunction of endothelium, but its role in pro-thrombotic state of AF was unknown. The aim of our study was to explore the role of ADMA in predicting the pro-thrombotic state in AF and to reveal its mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-eight patients in the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, from 2010 to 2012, were enrolled (persistent atrial fibrillation group, PAF, n=80; paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group, Paf, n=30; sinus rhythm, SR, n=28). Plasma ADMA levels were detected by ELISA-kits. CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were estimated for each patient.14 Beagles (pacing group, n=8; sham group, n=6) were subjected to rapid atrial pacing (RAP). ADMA level was detected after 4 weeks of RAP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ADMA level was elevated significantly in patients with atrial fibrillation especially in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, and showed a significant linear correlation to CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc score. With ADMA, ROC area under the curve was 0.865 in CHADS2 score ≥2 and was 0.959 in CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 (P<0.001 respectively). After 4 weeks of RAP, ADMA level was elevated compared to sham group and before operation. ADMA showed a linear correlation with atrial fibrillation susceptibility(r=0.686, P=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADMA levels are elevated both in AF patients and RAP beagles. ADMA correlates with stroke risk concerning with CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc score. ADMA may become a new biomarker for predicting pro-thrombotic risk in AF.
authors.affiliation: The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.forename: X L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: X R
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013927:Thrombosis
chemical_list: C487735:dimethylarginine; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D001120:Arginine