Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 30, 2025

Optimization of Transesophageal Atrial Pacing to Assess Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility in Mice
08:05

Optimization of Transesophageal Atrial Pacing to Assess Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility in Mice

Published on: June 29, 2022

3.0K

Proteins and pathways in atrial fibrillation and atrial cardiomyopathy underlying cryptogenic stroke

Elena Palà1, Jorge Pagola2, Jesus Juega2

  • 1Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.

International Journal of Cardiology. Heart & Vasculature
|March 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study identified novel proteins and pathways linked to atrial fibrillation and atrial cardiomyopathy in cryptogenic stroke patients. DPP7 was found at lower levels in atrial fibrillation, suggesting its potential as a biomarker.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Stroke Etiology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a primary cause of cryptogenic stroke.
  • Atrial remodeling and cardiomyopathy also contribute to stroke risk.
  • Identifying circulating biomarkers is crucial for understanding stroke mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discover circulating proteins and pathways altered in AF and atrial cardiomyopathy.
  • To investigate protein alterations in relation to left atrial volume index (LAVI) and peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS).
  • To identify potential biomarkers for cryptogenic stroke in AF patients.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study using aptamer arrays on 20 cryptogenic stroke patients (10 with AF, 10 without).
  • Protein levels were compared between AF and non-AF groups and correlated with LAVI and PALS.
  • Key findings were validated in a larger cohort of 111 patients.

Main Results:

  • Forty-six proteins were differentially expressed in AF patients; DPP7 was validated as lower in AF.
  • Fifty-seven proteins correlated with LAVI, and 270 with PALS.
  • NT-proBNP was consistently found across analyses; altered pathways were noted in low PALS.

Conclusions:

  • This study revealed multiple proteins and pathways associated with AF and atrial cardiomyopathy.
  • DPP7 warrants further investigation as a potential biomarker for stroke etiology.
  • The findings are hypothesis-generating for future research in cryptogenic stroke.
Abstract

Keywords:
Atrial cardiomyopathyAtrial fibrillationAtrial functionBiomarkersCryptogenic stroke

More Related Videos

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation08:10

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: July 20, 2022

1.8K
Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation08:56

Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: September 24, 2021

2.8K

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
963
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis01:20

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis

Blood clotting or coagulation involves extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which ultimately merge into the common pathway, forming a fibrin clot.
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which...
9.6K
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
69
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis01:16

Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis

After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
7.1K
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias01:28

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
1.1K
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
191