Abstract:

[Abstract] Objective   To investigate circulating level of growth differentiation factor-15(GDF-15) in patients with
non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods   We enrolled104consecutive patients with AF (67are paroxymal AF and37 are persistent AF) that presented to our hospital between August2012and June2013. Subjects without AF (n=67) was used as controls who were matched for sex, age and atherosclerotic risk factors enrolled in the same period. Serum GDF-15con?centration was detected byenzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Echocardiography and laboratory parameters were compared among three groups. The correlation of GDF -15and hypersensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as well as the risk factors of development of AF were also analyzed.Results   No significant difference in age, history of hypertension, coro?nary heart disease, and stroke was found among three groups (P>0.05). GDF-15had significant difference between pa?ients with paroxysmal AF and controls [(1473.14±628.52)μg/Lv (1233.592±262.76)μg/L,P=0.012]. GDF-15level was correlated with hs-CRP (rs=0.172，P=0.044). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that high GDF-15is a risk factor of devel?opment of paroxysmal AF/AF (OR: 1.002, 95%CI: 1.000-1.003, P<0.05).Conclusion   Patients with AF have a higher se?rum level of GDF-15compared with controls and GDF-15level is a risk factor of development of paroxysmal AF/AF.

Key words: atrial fibrillation, inflammation, C-reactive protein, risk factors, growth differentiation factor-15