The Correlation between sST2 and Atrial Fibrillation and Its Clinical Significance

Abstract

Objective: To explore the level of soluble growth-stimulated expression gene 2 (sST2) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and its relationship with atrial remodeling. Methods: From December 2018 to July 2019, 86 patients were enrolled in the cardiovascular department of Jingzhou Central Hospital in Hubei Province. AF group was 60 patients with AF diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of electrophysiology and pacing branch of Chinese Medical Association, while the control group was 26 normal ECG patients with sinus rhythm examined by ECG and/or DCG. Clinical data, NT proBNP and birth rate of all patients were collected chemical indicators. All the patients in the groups were examined by ECG and color Doppler echocardiography. The serum level of ST2 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the indexes related to atrial remodeling in echocardiography, left atrial diameter (LAD), were collected, compared and analyzed. Results: Serum sST2 levels and LAD and RAD values in the AF group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Serum sST2 levels were higher in the AF group than in the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group (P = 0.031). 1) The sST2 level was positively correlated with LAD and RAD measured by cardiac ultrasound (r = 0.388, P = 0.029). Conclusion: Serum sST2 levels have early recognition value in patients with high-risk atrial fibrillation, which contributes to the stratification of risk of atrial fibrillation and the prediction of disease activity. Elevated serum sST2 levels may be associated with atrial remodeling. sST2 may be an objective biomarker that predicts the risk of emergency admission in patients with atrial fibrillation. Elevated sST2 levels may be associated with atrial fibrillation progression.