Serum level of transforming growth factor beta 1 is associated with left atrial voltage in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND

Atrial tissue fibrosis can cause electrical or structural remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation. Transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1) signaling acts as a central role in fibroblast activation. In this report, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum level of TGF-β1 and mean left atrial voltage in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF).

METHODS

A total of 16 consecutive adult patients with CAF who underwent catheter ablation were enrolled. Blood samples for measurement of TGF-β1 were collected from periphery veins and coronary sinus before pulmonary vein isolation. The measurement was performed with a commercially available ELISA kit. Cardiac indices were measured using echocardiography. The left atrial electroanatomic mapping was performed after pulmonary vein isolation.

RESULTS

Serum level of TGF-β1 in peripheral blood was higher than that in coronary sinus (p < 0.001). TGF-β1 serum level in coronary sinus negatively correlated with mean left atrial voltage (r = -0.650, p = 0.012), While periphery TGF-β1 level tended to be negatively correlated with mean left atrial voltage(r = -0.492, p = 0.053). Patients who treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists had lower coronary sinus TGF-β1 serum level than those who did not treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists (p = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

Level of TGF-β1 in peripheral serum is higher than that in coronary sinus, and serum level of TGF-β1 in coronary sinus is negatively associated with mean left atrial voltage in patients with CAF, angiotensin II receptor antagonists could affect TGF-β1 serum level.