Abstract

GOMEZ MARTINEZ, E. et al. Inflammatory condition of patients with atrial fibrillation before and after electrical cardioversion. Med. Intensiva [online]. 2007, vol.31, n.3, pp.126-132. ISSN 0210-5691.

Objective. To assess the inflammatory state in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and to determine the predictive value in the success of cardioversion and recurrence at 30 days. Design. Prospective observational case-control study. Patients. We included consecutively 49 patients with atrial fibrillation previously to scheduled electrical cardioversion in Coronary Care Unit. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were registered and High-sensivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6 and Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha were measured. At 30-days follow-up, rhythm and biomarkers were reassessed. As control groups, we recruited 27 healthy volunteers and 16 patients matched for age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors. Results. Median age was 66 ± 10 years and 38% were women. All the markers were higher in patients than in both control groups (p < 0.05). FNT-alpha and Interleukin-6 levels were higher in non-cardiovertors but only an enlarged atria was related to unsuccessful cardioversion (p = 0.036). High-sensivity C-reactive protein values in the higher cuartile tended to be related to recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation (p = 0.06). Conclusions. There is an increased inflammatory state in patients with atrial fibrillation. FNT-alpha and Interleukin-6 levels were increased in non-cardiovertors, but no biomarker was associated with success of cardioversion or rhythm state at 30-days. However, higher levels of hs-CRP showed a trend to be related to recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Keywords : inflammatio; atrial fibrillation; cardioversion; C-reactive protein; interleukin.