LGALS9 and atrial fibrillation: In this study, we detected the concentration changes of Th17/Tim-3 + cell-related cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, Tim-3, Gal-9, MMP9) in the peripheral blood of AF patients using ELISA and found that IL-17, IL-6, and MMP-9 cytokine levels were significantly increased in the serum of AF patients, while Tim-3 and Gal-9 levels were significantly decreased, consistent with the above findings, and also confirmed that Th17/Tim-3 + -related cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, Tim-3, Gal-9, MMP9) are involved in the pathological progression of AF.