Association Between Biomarkers of Kidney Disorders and Atrial Fibrillation: A Literature Review

Abstract

Kidney diseases and atrial fibrillation often occur together. Renal impairment increases the risk of developing incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and is linked to it in a bidirectional manner, making it a prothrombotic and pro-hemorrhagic condition. In Japanese patients with nonvalvular AF, lower creatinine clearance values were associated with thromboembolism, all-cause death, and cardiovascular death, but not with major haemorrhage. Older individuals with elevated serum levels of cystatin C had a significantly higher prevalence of AF. Moderate to severe chronic kidney disease individuals with increased levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 were independently associated with prevalent and incident AF. A higher baseline glomerular filtration rate was associated with an increased risk of AF. Elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 were also observed in AF patients, while reduced circulating tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 levels were also associated with an increased risk of AF. Patients with AF had higher levels of non-esterified fatty acids and liver type fatty acid binding protein. Interleukin-18 levels in blood plasma were also found to be higher in AF patients. Furthermore, higher baseline urea/blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly associated with the incidence of AF in women and kidney disease in both men and women.