Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Quantifying DNA Lesions and Circulating Free DNA: Diagnostic Marker for Electropathology and Clinical Stage of Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Authors' conclusion
The quantity of DNA lesions in atrial tissue samples is associated with atrial conduction abnormalities and stage of AF. Serum DNA damage markers discriminate short- from long-term AF. Therefore, the quantity of DNA damage may have diagnostic value in clinical AF management.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with paroxysmal (PAF), persistent (PeAF), and longstanding persistent (LS-PeAF) AF, and sinus rhythm (SR) patientspatients with atrial tissue samples · blood samples of patients with AF or SR 70 · high-resolution epicardial mapping of the atria 48
- Participants
- 83 patients
- Comparison
- DNA damage in atrial tissue and blood samples as an indicator of the prevalence of electrical conduction abnormalities and stage of AF
- Outcome
- Number of DNA lesions
Methodological detailsPicoGreen assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction on circulating free DNA (cfDNA) markers, High-resolution epicardial mapping of the atria
- PicoGreen assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction on circulating free DNA (cfDNA) markers
- High-resolution epicardial mapping of the atria
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Gradually and significantly increased in PAF and PeAF and in patients with <3 years of AF compared with SR
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Mitochondrial cfDNA levels>3 years of AF vs <3 years of AF · decreased in patients with >3 years of AF | P = 0.004 |
Nuclear DNA damage and fractionated potentials (SR)
- In SR, the quantity of nuclear DNA damage significantly correlated with the proportion of fractionated potentials
Mitochondrial DNA lesions and conduction (AF samples)
- Mitochondrial DNA lesions correlated with slower conduction velocity and lower potential amplitudes in AF samples
Original publication
Quantifying DNA Lesions and Circulating Free DNA: Diagnostic Marker for Electropathology and Clinical Stage of AF. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. Published 8 January 2025. doi:10.
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