NLRP3 expression and its predictive role in preserved ejection fraction among non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients.

Abstract

To investigate the expression and predictive value of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3 (NLRP3) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with ejection fraction preserved heart failure (HFpEF). A retrospective analysis of 121 patients diagnosed with NVAF. According to the occurrence of HFpEF, 81 patients was assigned in the NVAF group and 40 patients in the NVAF/HFpEF group. The levels of NLRP3, B natriuretic peptide (BNP), and interleukin-1β were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Independent predictors for HFpEF in NVAF was determined using logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of each factor. Expression levels of NLRP3, BNP, and IL-1β in the NVAF/HFpEF group, as well as the H2FPEF score was significantly higher than those in the NVAF group. Pearson analysis showed that NLRP3, BNP, and IL-1β expression levels in NVAF patients and H2FPEF score was positively correlated (r=0.409, r=0.244, r=0.299, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLRP3, BNP, or H2FPEF score can be used as independent factor for predicting the occurrence of HFpEF in NVAF. ROC curves showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of NLRP3, BNP, and H2FPEF score for predicting the occurrence of HFpEF in NVAF patients were 0.856, 0.831 and 0.811, respectively. NLRP3 level is elevated in the peripheral blood of NVAF patients with HFpEF and is positively correlated with the H2FPEF score. NLRP3 may serve as a potential predictor of HFpEF in patients with NVAF.