The serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is an independent predictor of recurrence after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether the serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is an independent predictor of recurrence after catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with persistent atrial fibrillation were enrolled and underwent catheter ablation. The serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level was detected before ablation and its relationship with recurrent arrhythmia was analyzed at the end of the follow-up. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 12.1±7.2 months, 21 (36.2%) patients had a recurrence of their arrhythmia after catheter ablation. At baseline, the matrix metalloproteinase-9 level was higher in the patients with recurrence than in the non-recurrent group (305.77±88.90 vs 234.41±93.36 ng/ml, respectively, p=0.006). A multivariate analysis showed that the matrix metalloproteinase-9 level was an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrence, as was a history of atrial fibrillation and the diameter of the left atrium. CONCLUSION: The serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is an independent predictor of recurrent arrhythmia after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Distribución de las distintas formas de acetilcolinesterasa en corazones humanos en ritmo sinusal y en fibrilación auricular / Acetyl cholinesterase in the human heart, with and without atrial fibrilation

Existe evidencia clínica y experimental de que cambios en el tono autónomo juegan un rol en la génesis de la fibrilación auricular. Debido a ello estudiamos la distribución de las formas moleculares de acetilcolinesterasa en biopsias de aurículas pertenecientes a pacientes sin arritmias y en pacientes con fibrilación auricular. El análisis estadístico de la distribución porcentual de formas globulares y asimétricas demostró que hay una menor cantidad de formas globulares en las biopsias de aurículas que estaban en fibrilación auricular. Este trabajo es la primera caracterización de las formas moleculares de acetilcolinesterasa en corazón humano en ritmo sinusal y en fibrilación auricular