Volume 34, Issue 4 pp. 398-406

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Primary Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation

JUN LIU M.D., Ph.D.

JUN LIU M.D., Ph.D.

Center for Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Treatment, Fu Wai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China

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PI-HUA FANG M.D., Ph.D.

PI-HUA FANG M.D., Ph.D.

Center for Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Treatment, Fu Wai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China

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SAMER DIBS M.D., Ph.D.

SAMER DIBS M.D., Ph.D.

Chicago Heart Rhythm, Chicago, Illinois

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YU HOU M.D., Ph.D.

YU HOU M.D., Ph.D.

Center for Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Treatment, Fu Wai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China

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XIAO-FENG LI M.D.

XIAO-FENG LI M.D.

Center for Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Treatment, Fu Wai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China

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SHU ZHANG

SHU ZHANG

Center for Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Treatment, Fu Wai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China

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First published: 22 November 2010
Citations: 30
Address for reprints and corresponding author: Pi-hua Fang, M.D., Ph.D., Center for Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Treatment, 167 Beilishi Road, xicheng state, Beijing 100037, China. Fax: 010-88381696; e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) is difficult to predict. Inflammation is associated with the development of AF. Inflammatory markers, such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), are related to AF development via atrial remodeling. However, it is unknown whether plasma hsCRP concentration before CPVI can be used as a predictor for AF recurrence.

Methods: A total of 121 patients without structural heart disease who underwent primary CPVI by a single operator were included in the study (paroxysmal/persistent AF: 77/44). Left atrial diameter was measured by transesophageal echocardiography. Plasma hsCRP concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Based on the follow-up outcomes, patients were divided into two groups, a recurrence group and a nonrecurrence group. AF recurrence was defined as AF or atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia episodes lasting for ≥30 s during regular follow-up (>12 months).

Results: A total of 36 (29.8%) patients (paroxysmal/persistent AF: 19 [24.7%]/17 [38.6%]) had AF recurrence in a mean 23 (range, 12–44) month follow-up period. The plasma hsCRP concentration in the recurrence group was significantly higher than that in the nonrecurrence group for all patients (median [quartile range] 2.22 [1.97] mg/L vs 0.89 [1.30] mg/L, P < 0.001), for patients with paroxysmal AF (2.12 [2.78] mg/L vs 0.84 [1.15] mg/L, P = 0.028), and for those with persistent AF (2.29 [1.08] mg/L vs 0.89 [1.53] mg/L, P = 0.005). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the higher level of the plasma hsCRP (P < 0.001) was a significant prognostic predictor of AF recurrence, both for patients with paroxysmal AF (P = 0.012) and those with persistent AF (P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Plasma hsCRP concentration before CPVI was associated with AF recurrence after primary CPVI procedure for both paroxysmal and persistent AF patients. Plasma hsCRP concentration could play a role in prediction of AF recurrence after primary CPVI. (PACE 2011; 34:398–406)

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