Ghrelin expression and significance in 92 patients with atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE Ghrelin is a polypeptide that is closely associated with many cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. This article aims to understand the expression of ghrelin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS A total of 182 patients with non-valvular heart diseases were recruited, among whom 92 had AF and 90 had sinus arrhythmia (SA). The serum ghrelin amount was tested by the ELASA method. Moreover, blood sugar, lipids, liver function, and renal function were tested. All recruited patients underwent echocardiographic examination following admission. Three cardiac cycles were observed under continuous exhalation. The left atrial diameter (LAD) and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured and averaged. Patients with AF received conventional treatment, and the aforementioned parameters were re-measured after 8 weeks. The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS The serum ghrelin level in the patients in the AF group (199.55±79.59 pg/mL) was lower than that in the patients in the SA group (313.89±71.13 pg/mL, p<0.01), whereas the serum ghrelin level in those in the paroxysmal AF group (224.44±72.33 pg/mL) was higher than that in those in the persistent AF group (176.00±79.88 pg/mL, p<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the serum ghrelin level and LVEF in the patients in the AF group (r=0.704, p=0.046). After treatment, the serum ghrelin level and LVEF in the patients in the AF group significantly increased, whereas LAD decreased. CONCLUSION The serum ghrelin level in patients with AF was reduced, and after treatment, it significantly increased. There was a positive correlation between the serum ghrelin level and LVEF in the patients in the AF group.