Impact of matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels on long-term outcome following pharmacological or electrical cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) for the prediction of long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) after cardioversion in atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study comprised 102 patients with AF. Pharmacological cardioversion was attempted for a 4-week period with anti-arrhythmic drugs in all patients. Those who failed medication underwent electrical cardioversion. Blood samples for biomarkers and echocardiographic data were obtained at baseline. Thirty-four patients (33.3%) converted to SR by pharmacological (n = 22) and electrical (n = 12) cardioversion and maintained it (SR group). The remaining 68 patients were refractory to the AF (RAF) group including recurrence (n = 22) and unsuccessful treatment (n = 46) after electrical/pharmacological cardioversion. Refractory AF was significantly associated with the duration of AF, hypertension, left atrial diameter, brain natriuretic peptide, MMP-2, and tissue inhibitor of MMP-2. For both multivariable logistic regression analysis and stepwise forward selection procedure, the duration of AF >5 months [odds ratio (OR) 15.32] and MMP-2 >767.0 ng/mL (OR 4.84) were significantly associated with RAF.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that elevated MMP-2 and longer AF duration increased the risk for difficulty in restoring SR in AF patients. Stratification of subjects according to the MMP-2 level may therefore be important for the effective management of AF.