Association Between Gene Polymorphism with the Incidence of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and the Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation for Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

PURPOSE

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia with a high rate of recurrence after catheter ablation. The gene encoding transcription factor 21 () has been linked to coronary artery disease risk by human genome-wide association studies in multiple racial ethnic groups. However, the association of with AF remains unclear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Circulating leukocytes in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) and 92 age-matched controls without a history of cardiovascular disease, AF and other arrhythmias were collected. A total of 224 PAF patients receiving radiofrequency ablation had an 18-month scheduled follow-up study for recurrence of AF. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ( and ) were genotyped by PCR, and serum levels of were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

More males and smokers were observed in the PAF group compared with controls. C allele of , G allele and GG genotype of were markedly associated with the increased onset of PAF. The levels of serum TCF21 were significantly higher in PAF group than those in control group (1.96 ± 0.85 vs 0.86 ± 0.49 ng/mL, <0.001). Based on logistic regression analysis, we confirmed that risk allele at and serum TCF21 concentration were independently correlated with the incidence of PAF. Furthermore, GG genotype of enhanced the susceptibility of AF recurrence after ablation.

CONCLUSION

G allele and GG genotype of in and elevated TCF21 concentration are significantly associated with the onset of PAF and recurrence after ablation.