The eNOS Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Is Associated with Early Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Abstract

Background: Previous reports have demonstrated the association between eNOS gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated whether eNOS gene variants are associated with AF recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation. Methods: A total of 295 consecutive patients (mean age 56±11 years, 78% male) with drug-refractory paroxysmal (68.7%) or persistent (31.3%) AF who underwent catheter ablation were included. Two SNPs, rs2070744 and rs1799983 were genotyped. Results: Early recurrence (ER) of AF (within 3 months) was observed in 33.7%, whereas late recurrence (LR) of AF (after 3 months) occurred in 23.1% of the patients during the median 12 months follow-up. The patients with persistent AF had more ER (40.8% vs. 26.4%, p=0.012). Genotype frequencies of the rs2070744 variant in patients with ER or LR were similar to those without ER or LR. In contrast, carriers of the variant allele (T) of the rs1799983 had an increased risk of ER (OR 2.357, 95% CI 1.194–4.652, p=0.013). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the rs1799983 variant (OR 2.512, 95% CI 1.245–5.068, p=0.010) and persistent AF (OR 1.938, 95% CI 1.088–3.451, p=0.025) were independent predictors of ER. Conclusions: The variant of rs1799983 in eNOS gene may increase the risk for early recurrence of AF after catheter ablation via decreased eNOS gene activity.