Reflecting the clinically suspected multifactorial aetiology of AF in unselected patients27,28, 9 of the 12 biomarkers tested showed elevated blood concentrations in patients with AF in our study (ANGPT2, BMP10, CA125, ESM1, FABP3, FGF23, GDF15, IGFBP7, and NTproBNP), confirming prior reports. The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is atrial fibrillation.