Heat shock protein 60 antibody. A new marker for subsequent atrial fibrillation development

OBJECTIVE: To examined the pre- and post- operative anti-HSP60 antibodies of serum from patients in preoperative sinus rhythm.

METHODS: We prospectively studied 45 consecutive patients admitted for elective CABG from 2004 to 2005. We randomly selected 10 patients developing AF (study sample [Group A]) and 10 postoperative patients without AF (control [Group B]. The study took place at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

RESULTS: Anti-HSP60 IgG value was 27.76 ± 12.69 absorbance units (AU) in Group A preoperatively and decreased to 13.73 ± 5.51 AU postoperatively. Controversially, preoperative value of anti-HSP60 IgG was 9.94 ± 2.92 AU and decreased to 6.72 ± 1.89 AU, postoperatively in Group B. Statistical analysis showed significant difference regarding preoperative anti-HSP60 IgG levels in Group A compared to Group B, which might be interpreted as an association between postoperative AF and preoperative levels of anti-HSP60 IgG.

CONCLUSION: We provide the first evidence demonstrating the association of pre- and post- operative circulating anti-HSP60 antibodies with postoperative AF. These results suggest that serum HSP60 antibody levels may be a marker for subsequent development of AF.