Heart-type fatty acid binding protein in elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

Objectives We sought to investigate whether heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), a new marker of myocardial necrosis, increases in relation to elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods We studied 25 consecutive patients (61 ± 16 years old, 21 men) admitted to our hospital for elective cardioversion of AF. Peripheral venous samples were drawn immediately before cardioversion, one hour and 24 h after the procedure and assayed for H-FABP. Results A mean of 309 ± 183 J was used for cardioversion. Successful cardioversion in sinus rhythm was achieved in 18 patients (72%). Serum levels of H-FABP did not change significantly either in relation to the procedure [1385 (256–17,127) pg/mL at baseline, 1125 (290–15,238) pg/mL 1 h post and 1045.5 (66–2981) pg/mL 24 h post cardioversion, p = 0.37] or to the success of the procedure. Conclusion H-FABP does not significantly change following elective cardioversion for AF and we, therefore, speculate that myocardial necrosis does not occur during cardioversion.