Serum-Soluble ST2 Is a Novel Biomarker for Evaluating Left Atrial Low-Voltage Zone in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is linked to low-voltage zone (LVZ). This study explored whether serum soluble ST2 (sST2) levels can predict the size of LVZs in patients with pAF. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 177 patients with pAF treated with RFCA were consecutively enrolled in this study. One hundred twenty-five patients (70.6%) with 20% were assigned to Group B. Levels of soluble ST2 (sST2), growth and differentiation factor (GDF-15) and tissue inhibitor of MMP1 (TIMP-1) were measured. RESULTS The sST2 levels were higher in Group B than in Group A (23.9±3.3 vs. 30.9±5.0 ng/mL, P 26.65 ng/mL (88.6% vs. 69.8%, P 20% compared to those with a smaller LVZ. Also increased sST2 levels can serve as a novel predictor of AF recurrence rate in patients who have undergone RFCA.