Methods:
Sixty-five patients undergoing AF ablation were recruited for this prospective study.  Baseline characteristics, including AF history, and echocardiographic parameters were gathered. Biomarkers including, Gal3, IL-6, TNF, IL-10, CRP, and sCD14 levels were drawn pre-procedure.  Gal3 levels were divided into tertiles for univariate analysis and compared, 1st and 2nd tertiles versus the 3rd tertile.  A multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression.
Results: Significant differences in univariate analysis between the 1st and 2nd tertiles as compared with the third were noted in age (57.1 vs 65.0 p=0.0065), presence of a pacemaker (0% vs 14% p=0.04), coronary artery disease (32% vs 7% p=0.02), TIA (14% vs 0% p=0.04), CHF (18% vs 2% p=0.04), HTN (86% vs 56% p=0.01), renal disease (14% vs 0% p=0.04), ACEi/ARB use (59% vs 33% p=0.04), and diuretic use (32% vs 7% p=0.02).  There were no differences in left atrial size, left ventricular hypertrophy, ejection fraction, type of AF (paroxysmal versus persistent), prior ablation, diabetes, sleep apnea, mitral regurgitation, beta blocker use, amiodarone use, or statin use.  Gal3 (12.5 vs 21.7 Ng/ml p=0.0002) and sCD14 (4665vs 8154Ng/ml p=0.0065) levels were significantly greater in patients in the 3rd Gal3 tertile; there were no differences in CRP, TNF, IL-10, and IL-6. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated CAD, previous pacemaker, use of diuretics, and prior TIA were more common in the 3rd Gal3 tertile
Conclusions: Gal3 is independently associated with several baseline characteristics but not with cardiac structure/function, AF subtype, or inflammatory biomarkers. Our data suggest that Gal3 may provide unique information regarding myocardial tissue characteristics that cannot be inferred based on standard clinical patient assessment. Further research is required to determine if pre-procedure knowledge of Gal3 can be used to improve prognostication and guide clinical decision making.