The predictive value of galectin‐3 levels on left atrial low voltage areas assessed by high‐density mapping in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Aims Galectin‐3 is an inflammation biomarker that is associated with atrial fibrosis and plays a role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Low voltage areas (LVAs) identified using an electroanatomical mapping system represent the presence of fibrotic tissue. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between coronary sinus (CS) serum sampling of galectin‐3 levels and the presence and extent of LVA in patients with paroxysmal AF. Methods A total of 115 consecutive paroxysmal AF patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) included prospectively in the study. Voltage mapping was performed before PVI during sinus rhythm guided by multipolar high‐density mapping catheter and LVAs were defined as regions where bipolar peak to peak voltage was <0.5 mV. Galectin‐3 levels were measured via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results CS serum sampling of galectin‐3 levels was significantly higher in paroxysmal AF patients with LVA than those without LVA (16.5 ± 3.7 ng/ml vs. 10.2 ±2.7 ng/ml, respectively, p < .001). CS serum sampling of galectin‐3 levels was significantly higher in paroxysmal AF patients with moderate and severe LVA than in paroxysmal AF patients with mild LVA (17 ± 3.5 ng/ml and 20.1 ± 1.3 ng/ml vs. 13.3 ± 2.3 ng/ml, respectively, p = .002). In the multivariate analysis female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 7.537, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.011–56.195; p = .049), left atrium volume (OR = 1.326, 95% CI: 1.052–1.67; p = .017), and CS serum sampling of galectin‐3 levels (OR = 1.704, 95% CI: 1.169–2.483; p = .006) were significant and independent predictors for LVAs. Conclusion In this study, we found that the CS serum sampling of galectin‐3 levels increased with the extent of LVA and was an independent predictor for the presence of LVA.