Objective To investigate the predictive value of level of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in patients with atrial fibrillation complicated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods A total of 88 atrial fibrillation inpatients in department of cardiology were selected. According to the results of polysomnography (PSG), the patients were divided into atrial fibrillation group apnea hypopnea index (AHI) < 5 times/h, n=20and atrial fibrillation combined with OSA group (AHI≥5 times/h, n=68). In addition, 19 patients with OSA confirmed by PSG examination in respiratory department during the same period were selected as OSA alone group, and 80 healthy subjects in physical examination center during the same period were selected as healthy control group. Clinical data and serum Gal-3 levels were compared among the four groups. The influencing factors of OSA in AF patients were analyzed by binary Logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the value of serum Gal-3 level in predicting OSA in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Results The levels of serum Gal-3 in the atrial fibrillation combined with OSA group, atrial fibrillation group and OSA alone group were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group, and the level of serum Gal-3 in the atrial fibrillation combined with OSA group was significantly higher than that in the atrial fibrillation group and OSA alone group (P < 0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that serum Gal-3 level was one of independent influencing factors for AF patients complicating with OSA (OR=1.547; 95%CI, 1.063 to 2.251; P= 0.023). The area under curve of serum Gal-3 for predicting in AF patients complicating with OSA was 0.779 (95%CI, 1.063 to 2.251; P= 0.023), and the optimal cut-off value was 9.49 ng/mL (with sensitivity of 82.9%, specificity of 64.3%).

Conclusion The level of serum GAL-3 is related to the occurrence and development of AF promoted by OSA. The increased level of serum GAL-3 may have a certain predictive value for AF patients with OSA.