Predictive value of serum lncRNA MALAT1 for the recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation

Plain language summaryAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), which usually manifests as an irregular and rapid rhythm. In severe cases, AF can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as thromboembolism (narrowing and blockage of blood vessels) and heart failure (impaired pumping function of the heart). Cardiac radiofrequency ablation is a common method used to treat AF. However, patients with PAF still have a high rate of late recurrence after the operation, so there is an urgent need to identify suitable biochemical markers for predicting the postoperative recurrence of PAF. lncRNAs are a type of noncoding nucleic acid; they do not encode proteins, have various biological functions and are widely distributed in living organisms. The lncRNA MALAT1 has been considered a potential therapeutic target and biomarker in several cardiovascular diseases. This study demonstrated that the serum level of MALAT1 in PAF patients was significantly higher than that in normal subjects and MALAT1 level was elevated in patients with recurrent PAF compared with patients without recurrence. The authors also found that serum MALAT1 could predict whether PAF will recur after operation, with a high accuracy. In addition, PAF patients with high expression of serum MALAT1 had a higher risk of postoperative recurrence. In summary, serum level of lncRNA MALAT1 can help predict postoperative recurrence of PAF and a high level of MALAT1 is indicative of a higher risk of postoperative recurrence. Analysis of serum lncRNA MALAT1 level in PAF patients before surgery can predict postoperative recurrence, and intervention programs that lower the MALAT1 level can be implemented to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence of PAF and increase the success rate of the operation. This study has important implications for reducing the recurrence rate after radiofrequency ablation in PAF patients. Objective: The authors investigated the predictive value of MALAT1 for persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF) recurrence after radiofrequency ablation. Methods: Serum MALAT1 level was determined. The correlation between MALAT1 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein/left atrial diameter (LAD) was analyzed. The predictive value of MALAT1 was evaluated. The postoperative recurrence rate in patients with high/low MALAT1 was compared. Independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence were analyzed. Results: MALAT1 was elevated in PAF patients and positively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein/LAD. MALAT1/high-sensitivity C-reactive protein/LAD were enhanced in patients with recurrent PAF. Patients with high MALAT1 had a higher recurrence rate. Upregulated MALAT1 was an independent risk factor for postoperative PAF recurrence. Conclusion: Serum MALAT1 level >2.03 predicts postoperative recurrence of PAF, and PAF patients with high MALAT1 have a higher risk of postoperative recurrence.