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Biomarkers in atrial fibrillation: a clinical review

Ziad Hijazi1, Jonas Oldgren, Agneta Siegbahn

  • 1Uppsala Clinical Research Center (UCR), Uppsala University, Uppsala Science Park, Uppsala, Sweden. ziad.hijazi@ucr.uu.se

European Heart Journal
|February 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Blood biomarkers can significantly improve stroke risk assessment in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, enhancing current clinical scores. These markers offer better individual risk prediction and may reveal new treatment targets for AF.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarker Research
  • Clinical Risk Stratification

Background:

  • Current atrial fibrillation (AF) stroke risk assessment relies on clinical scores (e.g., CHA2DS2-VASc) with limited individual patient discrimination.
  • Biomarkers offer a promising avenue to refine risk stratification for stroke and mortality in AF.
  • Existing clinical models require enhancement for more accurate patient risk profiling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel associations between biomarkers and outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • To highlight recent advancements in using biomarkers for improved AF risk stratification.
  • To explore the potential of biomarkers in understanding AF pathophysiology and identifying new therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies and large prospective clinical trials/cohorts involving AF populations.
  • Analysis of cardiac biomarkers (troponin, natriuretic peptides), renal function markers, coagulation factors, and inflammatory markers.
  • Synthesis of evidence on biomarker performance in risk stratification for AF-related outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Cardiac biomarkers significantly improve risk stratification beyond existing clinical models in AF.
  • Markers of renal function, coagulation, and inflammation also demonstrate value in AF risk assessment.
  • Biomarker data from large studies substantially enhance risk stratification capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Blood biomarkers offer a powerful tool to refine stroke and mortality risk assessment in atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • Integration of biomarkers into clinical practice can lead to improved patient management and potentially novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research into AF biomarkers may unlock deeper insights into disease mechanisms and treatment avenues.

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationBNPBiomarkersCRPCoagulationD-dimerGFRIL-6InflammationReviewRisk stratificationStroke riskTroponincystatin C

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