Background
Galectinâ3 is an inflammatory marker that is raised in myocardial fibrosis and inflammation. Recent studies have explored its role in predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes. The aim of this systematic review and metaâanalysis is to examine the association between serum concentration of galectinâ3 and AF.
Methods
PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database were searched. A total of 280 studies were identified, of which 28 studies involving 10Â 830 patients were included in our metaâanalysis.
Results
Galectinâ3 is present at higher concentrations in patients with AF than those in sinus rhythm (mean difference [MD]Â =Â â0.68Â ng/mL, 95% CI: â0.92, â0.44, ZÂ =Â 5.61, PÂ <Â .00001). Galectinâ3 levels were significantly higher in the persistent AF than in the paroxysmal AF group (MDÂ =Â â0.94Â ng/mL, 95% CI: â1.85, â0.03, ZÂ =Â 2.04, PÂ =Â .04). Higher galectinâ3 levels were associated with a 45% increase in the odds of developing AF (odds ratio [OR]Â =Â 1.45, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.83, ZÂ =Â 3.11, PÂ =Â .002) and risk of AF recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] =1.17, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.29, ZÂ =Â 3.12, PÂ =Â .002).
Conclusions
Our metaâanalysis found that galectinâ3 is significantly higher in patients with persistent AF than in those with paroxysmal AF, and can predict both AF development and recurrence after treatment.