Abstract
Introduction: Reduced BDNF concentrations have been observed in patients with depression and heart failure, with treatment and improvement in symptoms associated with increased concentrations. AF is associated with symptoms of depression and poor Quality of Life (QoL). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that patients without AF recurrence following catheter ablation would have higher BDNF concentrations, less depression severity, and improved QoL scores. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted. BDNF (biosensis® Rapid ™ ELISA) concentrations were performed and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and AF Severity Scale (AFSS) were administered before and 12 weeks after catheter ablation. The primary outcome was change in BDNF blood concentrations following catheter ablation and its relationship with depression severity and AF related QoL. Results: One hundred patients with paroxysmal AF were recruited of which 98 completed the study. Eighty-nine patients were free of recurrent AF/atrial arrhythmias (AA) following catheter ablation. The baseline demographics and results are summarized in the accompanying table. Statistically significant changes were observed in BDNF concentrations, BDI scores and AFSS (perceived AF burden and symptoms) in patients without AF recurrence, after adjustments for CHADS2 score, age, and sex. The number of patients with AF recurrence were too few to make meaningful interpretation of results. Conclusions: BDNF concentrations significantly improved in subjects without AF recurrence after catheter ablation and were associated with a concomitant reduction in depression severity, perceived AF burden and symptoms of paroxysmal AF. Further research is required to determine the mechanism(s) that explain this novel association between BDNF and AF related symptoms.
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