A detailed analysis of the top 10 DEGs showed that matrix metallopeptidase-3 (MMP3), which was responsible for proteolysis, was 11.68 times upregulated in AF (Table 1), and matrix metallopeptidase-7 (MMP7), a disintegrin, metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 18 (ADAMTS18) were the matrix metalloproteinases all present in the top 10 upregulated genes (Supplementary Table S5). Here, ADAMTS18 is linked to atrial fibrillation.