BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum soluble semaphorin 4D (sSema4D) in patients with atrial fibrillation and to investigate the relationship of serum sSema4D with left atrial diameter (LAD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied a total of 113 patients who were subdivided into paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal (included persistent and permanent) atrial fibrillation groups, respectively. Another 55 subjects without atrial fibrillation were enrolled as the healthy control group. Serum levels of soluble semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) were measured in all subjects using the enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay method. We also evaluated the coagulation parameters and left atrial diameters.

RESULTS: Patients with paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation had significantly higher sSema4D level compared with controls (8.50±2.19 ng/mL and 9.30±2.28 ng/mL vs. 6.56±1.27 ng/ml, P<0.05). Serum sSema4D concentrations were elevated in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation compared to those with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (P<0.001). The level of sSema4D was positively correlated with LAD (r=0.606, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum sSema4D, LAD, male sex, heart rate, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were associated with atrial fibrillation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Serum sSema4D levels are increased in patients with atrial fibrillation and are independently associated with atrial remodeling.

Keywords: Antigens, CD - blood, Atrial Fibrillation - physiopathology, Atrial Remodeling - physiology, Blood Coagulation, Echocardiography, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Gene Expression Regulation, Heart Atria - anatomy & histology, Heart Rate, Hospitalization, Multivariate Analysis, Regression Analysis, Semaphorins - blood