The influence of the atrial fibrillation episode duration on the endothelial function in patients treated with pulmonary veins isolation.

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with endothelial dysfunctions. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the influence of the duration of an AF episode on the endothelial function. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 65 patients with persistent AF qualified for the percutaneous pulmonary veins isolation. Patients were divided into three subgroups with increasing time of the duration of AF episode, as follow: ≤ 7 months (n = 24 patients), from 7 to 14 months (n = 18 patients) and ≥ 14 months (n = 23 patients). Concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1), thrombomodulin (TM) and VEGF in serum were measured. RESULTS Median age in the whole study group was 56 years with 84.6% of males. Patients with longer lasting AF episode had a higher body mass index and less incidence of heart failure. Median values of ET1, TM and VEGF were 3.1 (2.5-3.5) pg/mL, 3126.0 (2827.2-3594.1) pg/mL and 464.6 (323.6-630.1), respectively. Among increasing tertiles of AF episode duration, median ET-1 serum concentrations were as follows: 3.3 (2.8-3.7) pg/mL, 3.06 (2.6-3.4) pg/mL, 2.7 (2.3-3.2) pg/mL, p = 0.019, respectively. There was also a trend towards negative association of serum VEGF level with AF episode duration. Serum biomarkers' levels were not associated with total AF duration. CONCLUSIONS AF episode duration may be associated with the endothelial function, assessed by serum biomarkers. ET-1 serum concentrations are significantly lower in patients with longer AF. ET-1, TM and VEGF have no correlation with total AF duration.