Plasma growth differentiation factor-15 in patients with "lone" atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily, correlated with various stimuli, including cardiovascular disease. The association between plasma GDF-15 level and "lone" AF, that is, AF of unknown etiology (UeAF), is uncertain.

METHODS: All patients aged 60 years or younger. AF patients were hospitalized for primary catheter ablation. Patients with sinus rhythm admitted for other diseases during the same period were included in the control group. ELISA was used to measure plasma GDF-15 concentrations.

RESULTS: 60 UeAF patients, 60 paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients, and 70 control patients were enrolled. The mean age was 44.6 years. In the UeAF group, no patients had traditional clinical risk factors. The plasma GDF-15 level in the UeAF group was (1028.5 ± 180.5) pg/ml, higher than in the control group, and moderately lower than in the PAF group. In all patients, positive correlations were found between plasma GDF-15 level and age (R = 0.210, p < 0.05), and between plasma GDF-15 level and left atrial diameter (LAD; R = 0.338, p < 0.05; in the UeAF group: R = 0.475, p < 0.05; in the PAF group: R = 0.504, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study first investigated the role of GDF-15 in UeAF. The plasma GDF-15 level in UeAF patients was higher than in sinus rhythm patients and lower than in PAF patients. Moreover, GDF-15 was positively correlated with age and LAD. The role of GDF-15 in UeAF needs further study.