Protein levels for the L-type Ca(2+) channel and 5 potassium channels (Kv4.3, Kv1.5, HERG, minK, and Kir3.1) were significantly reduced in both persistent and paroxysmal AF.
ET-A and ET-B receptor protein amounts were significantly reduced in patients with paroxysmal AF (-39% and -47%, respectively) and persistent AF with underlying valve disease (-28% and -30%, respectively) and in persistent AF without valve disease (-20% and -40%, respectively).
Recent findings of an association between human NE deficiency and variants at the dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) gene [Kim et al., 2002] prompted us to investigate these markers in patients with autonomic disorders; 38 with orthostatic intolerance (OI), 26 with pure autonomic failure (PAF), and 39 with multiple system atrophy (MSA).
Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation had significantly elevated levels of P -selectin (p = 0.005) and fibrinogen (p = 0.003), but not von Willebrand factor (p =.0.61) compared to controls.
Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation had significantly elevated levels of P -selectin (p = 0.005) and fibrinogen (p = 0.003), but not von Willebrand factor (p =.0.61) compared to controls.
In addition to cardiac TnI (cTnI), low expression of slow-twitch skeletal TnI (ssTnI) protein was found in 60% of patients in sinus rhythm or paroxysmal AF and in 8% of patients with chronic AF.