Goryachiy A. V., Gozhenko A. I ., Levchenko E. M., Goryachaya A. V. DOES ATRIAL FIBRILLATION INFLUENCE ON THE LEVEL OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-9? ВІСНИК МОРСЬКОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ. 2018;4(81):117-122. ISSN 0049-6804. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2552464 http://www.herald.com.ua DOES ATRIAL FIBRILLATION INFLUENCE ON THE LEVEL OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-9? 2A. V. Goryachiy, 1A. I .Gozhenko, 2E. M. Levchenko, 2A. V. Goryachaya 1Ukrainian Research Institute for Medicine of Transport, Odessa; 2Odessa Regional Clinical Hospital Summary. Goryachiy A. V., Gozhenko A. I ., Levchenko E. M., Goryachaya A. V. DOES ATRIAL FIBRILLATION INFLUENCE ON THE LEVEL OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-9? The objective: To investigate if there is any relation between atrial fibrillation and levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and to evaluate their significance and role in the various stages of the development of idiopathic atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: The study included patients with idiopathic AF. In accordance with the degree of disease progression, patients were divided into 3 groups: paroxysmal, persistent and chronic AF. The control group consisted of practically healthy patients. To determine the serum levels of MMP-9 used the double-antibody immunoassay with the enzyme label. Results: Each study group consisted of 20 patients; The control group consisted of 40 patients. The level of MMP-9 in the treatment groups was significantly different from the control and amounted to: 170.62 ± 24.65, 202.33 ± 29.18, 252.3 ± 21.87 ng / ml for paroxysmal, persistent and chronic forms of AF and 75.78 ± 14.7 ng / ml in the control group, respectively. As the disease progresses the level of MMP-9 increased (P <0,05). Conclusions: Increased levels of MMP-9 is likely associated with the development and progression of idiopathic AF. Key words: atrial fibrillation, extracellular matrix, matrix metalloproteinase-9, pathological mechanisms.