title: Serum galectin-3 level as a marker of thrombogenicity in atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV) and presence of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) have been reported to be predictors of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Galectin-3 is a biomarker reflecting pro-inflammatory status, whose role in AF has recently drawn attention, particularly in persistent AF population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study we aimed to investigate the association between serum galectin-3 levels and echocardiographic predictors of thromboembolism in persistent AF patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 65 persistent AF patients (55.50±10.67 years, 46.15% male). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed to assess LAAFV and presence of left atrial (LA)/LA appendage (LAA)-located SEC and thrombus prior to direct current cardioversion or catheter ablation for AF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median galectin-3 level was 0.63 ng/mL. Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly correlated with LAAFV (r=-.440, P<.001). Serum galectin-3 levels were associated with presence of SEC (P<.001), and LA thrombus (P=.008). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that a serum galectin-3 greater or equal to the cut-off value of 0.69 predicted presence of SEC with a sensitivity and specificity of 91.00% and 79.00%, respectively (P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, in the setting of persistent AF, serum galectin-3 levels are associated with presence of SEC and LAAFV on TEE. Our findings suggest that serum galectin-3 level may have a place in thromboembolism risk stratification in persistent AF patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kocyigit
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinics, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kadri Murat
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gurses
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhammed Ulvi
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Yalcin
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hande
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Canpinar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Canpolat
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Evranos
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hikmet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yorgun
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Necla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dicle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guc
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kudret
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aytemir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001798:Blood Proteins; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000097:blood*; D037161:Galectins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C428445:LGALS3 protein, human
keywords: atrial fibrillation; galectin-3; left atrial appendage flow velocity; transesophageal echocardiography