Integrated Diagnostics for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploratory Results from the PLACEBO Trial

<b>Background</b>: Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent arrhythmia with significant morbidity and recurrence challenges. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is characterized by episodic occurrences and unpredictable recurrences; therefore, it demands innovative diagnostic approaches to pr...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Aristi Boulmpou, Theodoros Moysiadis, Georgios Zormpas, Eleftherios Teperikidis, Konstantina Tsioni, Maria Toumpourleka, Maria Zidrou, Georgios Giannakoulas, Vassilios Vassilikos, Christodoulos Papadopoulos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Diagnostics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1105
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850155903282577408
author Aristi Boulmpou
Theodoros Moysiadis
Georgios Zormpas
Eleftherios Teperikidis
Konstantina Tsioni
Maria Toumpourleka
Maria Zidrou
Georgios Giannakoulas
Vassilios Vassilikos
Christodoulos Papadopoulos
author_facet Aristi Boulmpou
Theodoros Moysiadis
Georgios Zormpas
Eleftherios Teperikidis
Konstantina Tsioni
Maria Toumpourleka
Maria Zidrou
Georgios Giannakoulas
Vassilios Vassilikos
Christodoulos Papadopoulos
author_sort Aristi Boulmpou
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent arrhythmia with significant morbidity and recurrence challenges. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is characterized by episodic occurrences and unpredictable recurrences; therefore, it demands innovative diagnostic approaches to predict relapses and guide management. <b>Objectives</b>: This pilot, exploratory study evaluates the feasibility and prognostic value of integrating cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), echocardiographic indices, and plasma biomarkers for predicting PAF recurrence. <b>Methods</b>: The PLACEBO trial is a single-center, prospective observational study of 73 adults with PAF in sinus rhythm at baseline. Comprehensive assessments included CPET, transthoracic echocardiography, 24 h electrocardiographic Holter monitoring with heart rate variability (HRV) metrics, and plasma biomarkers, such as galectin-3 (GAL3). Recurrence was defined as any documented AF episode lasting ≥30 s within 12 months of follow-up. <b>Results</b>: Binary logistic regression revealed that the standard deviation of RR intervals (SDRR) and GAL3 were significant predictors of recurrence. Particularly, higher SDRR [odds ratio (OR): 1.061, <i>p</i> = 0.021] and GAL3 > 10.95 ng/mL (OR: 5.206, <i>p</i> = 0.006) were associated with recurrence. Moreover, lower right ventricular fractional area change (RV FAC) exhibited a marginally significant association with recurrence (OR: 0.927, <i>p</i> = 0.062). CPET parameters demonstrated limited prognostic value in this cohort. <b>Conclusion</b>: This pilot study demonstrates that integrating novel echocardiographic indices, biomarkers, and HRV metrics is feasible and may provide valuable prognostic insights for PAF recurrence. Larger multicenter studies are needed to validate these findings and optimize personalized risk stratification strategies.
format Article
id doaj-art-a5ae4f2fb8cb4f8bbdb15d1876248773
institution OA Journals
issn 2075-4418
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Diagnostics
spelling doaj-art-a5ae4f2fb8cb4f8bbdb15d18762487732025-08-20T02:24:45ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-04-01159110510.3390/diagnostics15091105Integrated Diagnostics for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploratory Results from the PLACEBO TrialAristi Boulmpou0Theodoros Moysiadis1Georgios Zormpas2Eleftherios Teperikidis3Konstantina Tsioni4Maria Toumpourleka5Maria Zidrou6Georgios Giannakoulas7Vassilios Vassilikos8Christodoulos Papadopoulos9Third Department of Cardiology, Ippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Computer Science, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, CyprusSecond Department of Cardiology, Ippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceThird Department of Cardiology, Ippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceBiopathology Laboratory, Ippokratio General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceThird Department of Cardiology, Ippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceThird Department of Cardiology, Ippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceFirst Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, GreeceThird Department of Cardiology, Ippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceThird Department of Cardiology, Ippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece<b>Background</b>: Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent arrhythmia with significant morbidity and recurrence challenges. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is characterized by episodic occurrences and unpredictable recurrences; therefore, it demands innovative diagnostic approaches to predict relapses and guide management. <b>Objectives</b>: This pilot, exploratory study evaluates the feasibility and prognostic value of integrating cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), echocardiographic indices, and plasma biomarkers for predicting PAF recurrence. <b>Methods</b>: The PLACEBO trial is a single-center, prospective observational study of 73 adults with PAF in sinus rhythm at baseline. Comprehensive assessments included CPET, transthoracic echocardiography, 24 h electrocardiographic Holter monitoring with heart rate variability (HRV) metrics, and plasma biomarkers, such as galectin-3 (GAL3). Recurrence was defined as any documented AF episode lasting ≥30 s within 12 months of follow-up. <b>Results</b>: Binary logistic regression revealed that the standard deviation of RR intervals (SDRR) and GAL3 were significant predictors of recurrence. Particularly, higher SDRR [odds ratio (OR): 1.061, <i>p</i> = 0.021] and GAL3 > 10.95 ng/mL (OR: 5.206, <i>p</i> = 0.006) were associated with recurrence. Moreover, lower right ventricular fractional area change (RV FAC) exhibited a marginally significant association with recurrence (OR: 0.927, <i>p</i> = 0.062). CPET parameters demonstrated limited prognostic value in this cohort. <b>Conclusion</b>: This pilot study demonstrates that integrating novel echocardiographic indices, biomarkers, and HRV metrics is feasible and may provide valuable prognostic insights for PAF recurrence. Larger multicenter studies are needed to validate these findings and optimize personalized risk stratification strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1105paroxysmal atrial fibrillationCPETechocardiographybiomarkersrisk stratification
spellingShingle Aristi Boulmpou
Theodoros Moysiadis
Georgios Zormpas
Eleftherios Teperikidis
Konstantina Tsioni
Maria Toumpourleka
Maria Zidrou
Georgios Giannakoulas
Vassilios Vassilikos
Christodoulos Papadopoulos
Integrated Diagnostics for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploratory Results from the PLACEBO Trial
Diagnostics
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
CPET
echocardiography
biomarkers
risk stratification
title Integrated Diagnostics for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploratory Results from the PLACEBO Trial
title_full Integrated Diagnostics for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploratory Results from the PLACEBO Trial
title_fullStr Integrated Diagnostics for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploratory Results from the PLACEBO Trial
title_full_unstemmed Integrated Diagnostics for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploratory Results from the PLACEBO Trial
title_short Integrated Diagnostics for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploratory Results from the PLACEBO Trial
title_sort integrated diagnostics for atrial fibrillation recurrence exploratory results from the placebo trial
topic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
CPET
echocardiography
biomarkers
risk stratification
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1105
work_keys_str_mv AT aristiboulmpou integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT theodorosmoysiadis integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT georgioszormpas integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT eleftheriosteperikidis integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT konstantinatsioni integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT mariatoumpourleka integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT mariazidrou integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT georgiosgiannakoulas integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT vassiliosvassilikos integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial
AT christodoulospapadopoulos integrateddiagnosticsforatrialfibrillationrecurrenceexploratoryresultsfromtheplacebotrial