Circulatory microRNAs as potential biomarkers for major adverse cardiac events in patients with atrial fibrillation. (14th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nopp, S; Van Der Bent, M.L; Koenigsbruegge, O; Wojta, J; Pabinger, I; Ay, C; Nossent, A.Y
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 42(2021)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2021-10-14
• Subjects: Epidemiology, Prognosis, Outcome; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.0434
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-668X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Stratification for subsequent cardiovascular events among patients with atrial fibrillation is of great interest and could aid in guiding preventative strategies. However, current clinical and routine laboratory markers lack in accuracy to predict major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Thus, new prognostic approaches are needed. Small non-coding RNAs are present and stable in the circulation and reflect their tissue, or even their vascular bed, of origin, and may therefore be optimal candidate biomarkers to reflect disease status. Purpose: We aimed to investigate small non-coding RNAs (e.g. microRNAs [miRNAs], transfer RNAs [tRNAs] -derived fragments) and their prognostic potential as biomarkers for cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study within the framework of the BRAHMS (BioRepository of Atrial Fibrillation and HeMostasiS) registry, in which patients with atrial fibrillation were included and followed-up at a 6- to 12-month interval. Patients who experienced MACE (i.e. stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death) within a year after inclusion were defined as cases (n=13) and were matched by age, sex, and CHA2DS2-VASc score to controls who remained event-free (n=13). In all 26 patients, total small RNA-sequencing was performed on plasma samples collected and stored at study inclusion. The Benjamini-Hochberg procedure was used to control the false discovery rate (FDR). Results: We detected 184 well-expressed miRNAs, 47 tRNAs, and 280 other non-coding RNAs, and did not find differences in expression between cases and controls, respecting a threshold of an FDR-adjusted p-value <0.05. However, in the subgroup analysis of patients with subsequent cardiovascular death (5 cases vs. matched controls), three miRNAs (miR-150-5p, miR-127-3p, miR-1908-5p) were significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (FDR-adjusted p<0.05) (Figure 1). Conclusion: This study proposes three well-expressed circulating miRNAs derived from peripheral blood as potential biomarkers for early cardiovascular death in patients with atrial fibrillation. Our findings are currently being verified in a larger study and in a different patient population. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding sources: None.