title: Role of inflammation in initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review of the published data.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. Recent studies have indicated that inflammation might play a significant role in the initiation, maintenance, and perpetuation of AF. Inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein are elevated in AF and correlate to longer duration of AF, success of cardioversion, and thrombogenesis. Furthermore, the inflammatory process might be modulated by the use of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or glucocorticoids. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current published reports on the relationship between inflammation and AF and the potential therapeutic options available to modulate the inflammatory milieu in AF.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Tim T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Issac
authors.forename: Hisham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dokainish
authors.forename: Nasser M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Lakkis
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein