title: C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide following cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: is there a role of biomarkers in arrhythmia recurrence?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTpro-BNP), in atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 patients with first AF episode were studied prospectively. Echocardiography (ECG), Holter ECG, and measurements of hsCRP, IL-6, and NTproBNP were performed immediately post conversion and at 1 month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recurrence was positively related to left atrial volume (P < .001), with no difference in NTpro-BNP, hsCRP, and IL-6. Decreased NTpro-BNP was observed in all at 1 month (P < .001, F = 63.4) and was positively related to left atrial volume (P < .01). In the lone AF subgroup, NTpro-BNP was lower and dropped significantly at 1 month (interaction F = 6.53, P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atrial volume was related to AF recurrence, whereas hsCRP, IL-6, and NTpro-BNP were not reliable for AF relapse. Relation of NTpro-BNP to left atrial volume could indicate a role in the atrial remodeling process.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Cardiology, Nikea General Hospital, Athens, Greece. lillypsychari@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stavroula N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Psychari
authors.forename: Dionyssios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chatzopoulos
authors.forename: Efstathios K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Iliodromitis
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Apostolou
authors.forename: Dimitrios T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Kremastinos
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D002097:C-Reactive Protein