Abstract
BACKGROUND: In this study considering the relationship between serum endocan and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score, we assumed that endocan level could be a new biomarker for stroke risk in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). It was examined that endocan could be an alternative to determine the risk of stroke and anticoagulation strategy in patients with PAF. The CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores were calculated for 192 patients with PAF, and their serum endocan levels were measured. The patients were divided into two groups as those with low to moderate (0-1) and those with high (≥ 2) CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores, and the endocan levels were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: The serum endocan level was significantly higher in the high CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score group (p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, endocan, C-reactive protein, and low-density lipoprotein were found to be independent determinants of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. The predictive value of endocan was analyzed using the ROC curve analysis, which revealed that endocan predicted a high stroke risk (CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc ≥ 2) at 82.5% sensitivity and 71.2% specificity at the cutoff value of 1.342. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that endocan is significantly associated with CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. We demonstrated that endocan could be a new biomarker for the prediction of a high stroke risk among patients diagnosed with PAF.