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Stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α): A marker of disease burden in patients with atrial fibrillation
Dana Li1, Louise Bjørnager1, Anne Langkilde2
1a Department of Cardiology , Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen , Hvidovre , Denmark.
Insights
Higher levels of Stromal cell-derived factor 1a (SDF-1α) correlate with more advanced atrial fibrillation (AF) and longer hospitalizations. SDF-1α may serve as a prognostic marker for AF disease burden.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Stromal cell-derived factor 1a (SDF-1α) is a chemokine involved in hematopoietic progenitor cell homing to injured tissues.
- Elevated SDF-1α levels are observed in various cardiac diseases, but its role in atrial fibrillation (AF) is less understood.
- Investigating SDF-1α in AF patients is crucial for understanding disease progression and potential therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate SDF-1α plasma levels in a large cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
- To assess the association between SDF-1α levels and the type and severity of AF.
- To evaluate SDF-1α as a potential prognostic marker for disease burden and clinical outcomes in AF patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 290 patients with ECG-documented AF was enrolled between 2008 and 2012.
- Plasma SDF-1α levels were quantified using ELISA.
- Clinical data and patient follow-up information were systematically collected.
Main Results:
- Patients with permanent AF exhibited significantly higher SDF-1α levels compared to those with paroxysmal or persistent AF (p < 0.0005).
- Elevated SDF-1α levels were associated with longer hospital stays per readmission (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Higher SDF-1α levels in AF patients indicate a more progressive stage of the arrhythmia.
- SDF-1α levels correlate with increased hospitalization duration, suggesting its utility in assessing disease burden.
- SDF-1α shows potential as a valuable biomarker for risk stratification in atrial fibrillation management.
Objectives:
Stromal cell-derived factor 1a (SDF-1α), is a chemokine and is able to home hematopoietic progenitor cells to injured areas of heart tissue for structural repair. Previous studies have found increased levels of SDF-1α in several cardiac diseases, but only few studies have investigated SDF-1α in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to test SDF-1α in a large cohort of patients with AF and its role as a prognostic marker.
Design:
Between January 1st 2008 to December 1st 2012, 290 patients with ECG documented AF were enrolled from the in- and outpatient clinics at the Department of Cardiology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark. Plasma levels of SDF-1α were measured using ELISA technique. Clinical data were registered and patient follow-up was conducted.
Results:
Patients with permanent AF had significantly higher SDF-1α levels (2199.5 pg/ml) than the patients with paroxysmal AF (1982.0 pg/ml) and persistent AF (1906.0 pg/ml), p < 0.0005. Higher SDF-1α level was associated with longer time spent in the hospital per readmission, p < 0.05.
Conclusion:
In AF patients, a higher SDF-1α level was found in patients with a more progressive state of arrhythmia and was associated with longer hospitalizations. These findings suggest that SDF-1α could prove valuable in risk stratification and evaluating the disease burden in AF patients.
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