TY - JOUR T1 - Inflammation as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. JF - Circulation Y1 - 2003 A1 - Aviles, Ronnier J A1 - Martin, David O A1 - Apperson-Hansen, Carolyn A1 - Houghtaling, Penny L A1 - Rautaharju, Pentti A1 - Kronmal, Richard A A1 - Tracy, Russell P A1 - Van Wagoner, David R A1 - Psaty, Bruce M A1 - Lauer, Michael S A1 - Chung, Mina K KW - Aged KW - Atrial Fibrillation KW - C-Reactive Protein KW - Cross-Sectional Studies KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Inflammation KW - Longitudinal Studies KW - Male KW - Risk Factors AB -

BACKGROUND: The presence of systemic inflammation determined by elevations in C-reactive protein (CRP) has been associated with persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The relationship between CRP and prediction of AF has not been studied in a large population-based cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS: CRP measurement and cardiovascular assessment were performed at baseline in 5806 subjects enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Patients were followed up for a mean of 6.9+/-1.6 (median 7.8) years. AF was identified by self-reported history and ECGs at baseline and by ECGs and hospital discharge diagnoses at follow-up. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess CRP as a predictor of baseline and future development of AF. At baseline, 315 subjects (5%) had AF. Compared with subjects in the first CRP quartile (<0.97 mg/L), subjects in the fourth quartile (>3.41 mg/L) had more AF (7.4% versus 3.7%, adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.5; P=0.002). Of 5491 subjects without AF at baseline, 897 (16%) developed AF during follow-up. Baseline CRP predicted higher risk for developing future AF (fourth versus first quartile adjusted hazard ratio 1.31, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.58; P=0.005). When treated as a continuous variable, elevated CRP predicted increased risk for developing future AF (adjusted hazard ratio for 1-SD increase, 1.24; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.40; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: CRP is not only associated with the presence of AF but may also predict patients at increased risk for future development of AF.

VL - 108 IS - 24 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14623805?dopt=Abstract ER -