title: Relationship between inflammatory markers and clinical patterns of atrial fibrillation in patients with congestive heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occurence of atrial fibrillation (AF) adversely affects left atrial size and cardiac function. This arrhythmia is also associated with an increase of plasma CRP and fibrinogen concentration. It is not clear whether elevated levels of inflammatory markers in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) are associated with AF, clinical symptoms or adverse cardiac remodelling.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between levels of inflammatory markers and selected clinical and echocardiographic parameters as well as used treatment in the population of CHF patients with various forms of AF.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study included 99 patients with CHF divided into 3 groups. Group I included patients with sinus rhythm. Group II consisted of patients admitted to hospital with AF and discharged with sinus rhythm (the category of paroxysmal and persistent AF). Group III comprised patients with permanent AF. In all patients plasma CRP and fibrinogen concentrations were measured and echocardiographic examination was carried out. Left atrial dimension (LA), ejection fraction (LVEF) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean CRP concentration in group III (5.83+/-5.36 mg/l) was significantly higher than in group I (p=0.001) and group II (p=0.033). In the group with permanent AF mean fibrinogen concentration was elevated to a higher level (391.0+/-77.3 mg/dl) than in group II (p=0.007) and group I (p=0.099). Mean LA and RV dimensions and RVSP in group III were significantly higher than in group I and group II. Multivariable analysis revealed that plasma CRP concentration was significantly associated with the presence of arterial hypertension (p <0.001) and LA enlargement (p=0.007). A significant association between fibrinogen level and CRP level (p=0.038), presence of permanent AF (p=0.045) and metabolic syndrome (p <0.05) was found. Values of ln CRP were significantly correlated with LA diameter (r=0.24; p=0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased plasma CRP level in patients with CHF were significantly associated with arterial hypertension and LA enlargement. Permanent form of AF and CRP level have been shown to be significantly associated with increased plasma fibrinogen concentration in the course of CHF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, City Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland.
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Targoński
authors.forename: Dagmara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salczyńska
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sadowski
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cichowski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013599:Systole; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein