Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with fibrosis. Galectin-3 (Gal3) is a novel biomarker for fibrosis. Aim of the study was to investigate its role in atrial fibrillation.
Methods: Thirty consecutive patients ((57.9 ± 1.7 years, 63% males) with pAF who underwent radiofrequency ablation were included. Biomarkers were assessed in blood samples before and 3 months after the ablation.
Results: The mean Gal3 levels were 9.6+2.6 at baseline and 10.6+2.7 at follow up. Two thirds of the patients demonstrated an increase after the ablation procedure. However, this was not predictive for the longterm outcome. While the baseline level of Gal3 correlated with the atrial diameter (p<0.016), the Gal3 levels at 3 months correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0,038) and the presence of structural heart disease (p<0,041). There was no correlation with CRP, IL-6, Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1) and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP).
Conclusions: Galektin-3 correlates with the atrial diameter at baseline and shows an upregulation after the ablation. However this did not predict longterm outcome.