Correlation and Influencing Factor Analysis Between Gal‐3 and Recurrent Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation After Radiofrequency Ablation

Aims: This prospective cohort study was aimed at evaluating the association of galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) and other prognostic factors with atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients with nonvalvular AF undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). Methods and Results: Overall, 92 patients were included, with the AF group comprising 70 patients and the control group comprising 20 (supraventricular tachycardic) patients. Preablation parameters were recorded, including baseline Gal‐3 levels. Patients were followed up for 6 months post‐RFCA. AF recurrence was defined as AF episodes lasting > 30 s after the blanking period. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed patients with AF were older and significantly hypertensive ( p < 0.05) when compared to control. Gal‐3 levels were significantly higher in the paAF (13.81 ± 2.56) and peAF (15.92 ± 3.67) groups than in the control group (12.04 ± 3.28). Recurrence occurred in 28 patients (40%) with AF. Baseline Gal‐3 levels were higher in the recurrence group than in the nonrecurrence group. Univariate analysis revealed left atrial diameter (LAD), left atrial volume (LAV), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), Gal‐3, and LV short‐axis shortening rate as significant predictors of AF recurrence. However, multivariate analyses showed only LAV (OR = 1.043 [1.011–1.077]; p = 0.009), hs‐CRP (OR = 1.176 [1.025–1.349], p = 0.021), and Gal‐3 (OR = 2.019 [1.332–3.06], p = 0.001) as independent predictors of recurrence. Conclusion: Elevated Gal‐3 and hs‐CRP levels along with increased LAV are predictive of AF recurrence, irrespective of AF type. This finding holds a significant potential for guiding therapeutic strategies in clinical practice.