Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 in atrial fibrillation

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Biomarkers
• Stroke Prevention

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) poses a significant risk for stroke.
• Identifying reliable biomarkers for AF-related stroke is crucial for risk stratification and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1) concentrations in the left atrial appendage (LAA) and peripheral veins (PV) and the risk of stroke in AF patients.
• To assess whether VCAM-1 expression in LAA tissues correlates with stroke risk in AF.

Main Methods:

• Serum VCAM-1 levels were measured using ELISA in AF patients from LAA and PV.
• VCAM-1 expression in LAA tissues was quantified using immunohistochemistry.
• Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate logistic regression, were employed to determine predictive values.

Main Results:

• Higher serum VCAM-1 concentrations in both LAA and PV were observed in AF patients who experienced strokes compared to those without strokes.
• Increased VCAM-1 expression was found in LAA tissues of AF patients with strokes.
• Multivariate analysis identified LAA serum VCAM-1 (>387.93 pg/ml) and PV VCAM-1 (>344.04 pg/ml) as significant predictors of AF-related stroke.

Conclusions:

• Serum VCAM-1 levels and LAA tissue expression are associated with stroke risk in AF patients.
• VCAM-1 may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting AF-related strokes.
• Specific thresholds for LAA and PV VCAM-1 concentrations can indicate an elevated risk of stroke in AF.