Serum Lipopolysaccharide Is Associated with the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Radiofrequency Ablation by

Meng Wang1, Hua Xiong1, Li Lu1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.

Abstract

Insights

Elevated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels predict atrial fibrillation recurrence (RAF) after treatment. LPS may increase RAF risk by promoting inflammation and atrial fibrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Gut microbiota metabolites influence cardiovascular health.
  • Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a gut-derived endotoxin, is implicated in inflammation.
  • The role of LPS in predicting atrial fibrillation recurrence (RAF) remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between LPS and RAF.
  • To examine the relationship between LPS, inflammation, and atrial fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 159 atrial fibrillation patients.
  • Measurement of serum LPS, IL-6, CITP, and TGF-β1 using ELISA.
  • Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard analyses for RAF prediction.
  • Correlation and regression analyses to assess relationships between LPS, inflammatory markers, and clinical variables.

Main Results:

  • Higher LPS levels were associated with increased RAF risk (log-rank P = 0.037).
  • Heart failure, left atrial diameter (LAD), LPS, and collagen type-1 C-terminal telopeptide (CITP) independently predicted RAF.
  • IL-6 and hs-CRP were independently and positively correlated with LPS levels.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating LPS is a significant predictor of RAF.
  • LPS may contribute to RAF by exacerbating systemic inflammation and atrial fibrosis.