The relation between oxidative stress biomarkers and atrial fibrillation after pulmonary veins isolation

•Oxidative stress biomarkers AGEs and TBARS negatively correlate with atrial fibrillation burden after the radiofrequency catheter pulmonary veins isolation•Oxidative stress after radiofrequency catheter isolation might play an important role in the efficacy of electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins•Oxidative stress biomarkers might be useful in predicting atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

IntroductionThe current paradigm claims a link between oxidative stress and atrial fibrillation. The aim of our research was to study a relation between the percentage of time spent in atrial fibrillation (AF burden) and concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers, before and after pulmonary veins isolation (PVI).MethodologyWe included 19 patients (mean age 55 ± 10 years, 4 females and 15 males) with implanted loop recorders undergoing PVI. Plasmatic concentrations of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), fructosamine, advanced oxidation protein products and thiobarbituric-acid reacting substances (TBARS) were measured and AF burden was recorded immediately before and 3 months after the PVI. AF burden was also recorded 9 months after the PVI.ResultsPost procedural AGEs concentration significantly negatively correlated with AF burden after 3 months (ρ = − 0.63; p < 0.01) and 9 months (ρ = − 0.5; p = 0.04), respectively as well as TBARS concentration significantly negatively correlated with AF burden after 9 months (ρ = − 0.61; p = 0.01).ConclusionOur study showed AGEs and TBARS to be potential predictors for AF burden after the PVI. We suppose that the more oxidative stress after the PVI is provoked, the more fibrotic tissue is produced. That means a better electrical isolation of pulmonary veins and consequently a lower AF burden.