Relation of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels to sinus maintenance after pharmacological cardioversion in persistent atrial fibrillation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate whether interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have significant relation to sinus maintenance after pharmacological conversion of long-lasting atrial fibrillation (AF) with respect to use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) inhibitors.


METHODS
We studied 35 consecutive patients with AF lasting > or =1 month who had successful pharmacological cardioversion with bepridil alone or in combination with aprindine. The IL-6 and CRP levels in plasma were measured after pharmacological restoration of sinus rhythm.


RESULTS
During the 1-year follow-up period, sinus rhythm was maintained in 20 patients (Group I), and the other 15 patients had recurrence of AF (Group II). Both plasma levels of IL-6 and CRP were significantly lower in Group I than in Group II (IL-6: 1.19 +/- 0.51 versus 1.84 +/- 0.66 ng/L, P < 0.005; CRP: 0.59 +/- 0.40 versus 1.24 +/- 0.79 mg/L, P < 0.005). The use of RAS inhibitors and left atrial dimension and the left ventricular ejection fraction showed no differences between the 2 groups. There was significant positive correlation between levels of IL-6 and CRP.


CONCLUSIONS
In long-lasting persistent AF, lower levels of IL-6 and CRP appear to be associated with maintenance of sinus rhythm after pharmacological cardioversion irrespective of the use of RAS inhibitors. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of RAS inhibitors.
Fujiki
Akira
A
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. fujiki@med.u-toyoma.ac.jp
Sakamoto
Tamotsu
T
Nishida
Kunihiro
K
Mizumaki
Koichi
K
Inoue
Hiroshi
H
D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001073:Aprindine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015764:Bepridil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D001073:Aprindine; D015764:Bepridil; D002097:C-Reactive Protein