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. 2016 Sep 28:6:34357.
doi: 10.1038/srep34357.

Serum Galectin-3 Levels Predict Recurrences after Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Nicolas Clementy  1 , Nazih Benhenda  1 , Eric Piver  2 , Bertrand Pierre  1 , Anne Bernard  1 , Laurent Fauchier  1 , Jean-Christophe Pages  2 , Dominique Babuty  1
Affiliations

Serum Galectin-3 Levels Predict Recurrences after Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Nicolas Clementy et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Galectin-3 is a biomarker of fibrosis and atrial remodeling, involved in the mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to study the accuracy of galectin-3 level in predicting recurrences of AF after ablation. Serum concentrations of galectin-3 were determined in a consecutive series of patients addressed for AF ablation in our center. After a 3-month blanking period, recurrences of atrial arrhythmias were collected during the first year in all patients, using Holter monitoring at 3, 6 months and 12 months. A total of 160 patients were included, with a mean galectin-3 rate was 14.4 ± 5.6 ng/mL. At 12-month, 55 patients (34%) had reexperienced sustained atrial arrhythmia. Only higher galectin-3 level (HR = 1.07 [1.01-1.12], p = 0.02) and larger left atrial diameter (HR = 1.07 [1.03-1.12], p = 0.001) independently predicted recurrence. Patients with both galectin-3 level <15 ng/mL and left atrial diameter <40 millimeters had a 1-year arrhythmia-free survival rate - after a single procedure without anti-arrhythmic drug - of 91%, as compared with 41% in patients with galectin-3 ≥ 15 and left trial diameter ≥40 (p < 0.0001), whether AF was paroxysmal or persistent. Galectin-3 and left atrial diameters, rather than clinical presentation of AF, predict recurrences after ablation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Arrhythmia-free survival without anti-arrhythmic drug after a single ablation procedure according to galectin-3 baseline serum level, <15 (N = 102, 64%) or ≥15 ng/mL (3-month blanking period).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Arrhythmia-free survival without anti-arrhythmic drug after a single ablation procedure according to left atrial diameter, <40 (N = 62, 39%) or ≥40 millimeters (3-month blanking period).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Arrhythmia-free survival without anti-arrhythmic drug after a single ablation procedure in patients with galectin-3 level <15 ng/mL and a left atrial diameter <40 millimeters (Group 1, 28%), either galectin-3 level ≥15 or a left atrial diameter ≥40 (Group 2, 46%), or both galectin-3 level ≥15 and a left atrial diameter ≥40 (Group 3, 26%) (3-month blanking period).
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References

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