title: Inflammation and C-reactive protein in atrial fibrillation: cause or effect?
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates. The incompletely understood pathogenesis of this cardiac dysrhythmia makes it difficult to improve approaches to primary and secondary prevention. Evidence has accumulated in regard to a relationship between inflammation and atrial fibrillation. Investigators have correlated the dysrhythmia with myocarditis, pericardiotomy, and C-reactive protein levels, suggesting that inflammation causes atrial fibrillation or participates in its onset and continuation. Conversely, other investigators suggest that atrial fibrillation induces an inflammatory response. In this review, we summarize and critically discuss the nature and clinical role of inflammation and C-reactive protein in atrial fibrillation.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Galea
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Cardillo
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caroli
authors.forename: Maria Giulia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sonnino
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Narducci
authors.forename: Luigi M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Biasucci
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Atrial fibrillation/diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology/prevention & control; C-reactive protein/analysis/metabolism; biological markers/blood; disease management; heart conduction system/physiopathology; inflammation/complications/diagnosis/etiology; myocardial revascularization/adverse effects; polymorphism, genetic; primary prevention; risk factors