Prediction of atrial fibrillation according to levels of serum markers of inflammation during arterial hypertension

Aim. To study the parameters of inflammation during atrial fibrillation in patients with arterial hypertension and to determine the possibility of their predictive significance in relation to development of the arrhythmia. Methods. Examined were 97 individuals with arterial hypertension, mean age 50.53±8.10 years. Formed were two groups: patients with arterial hypertension without the arrhythmia and patients with atrial fibrillation on the background of arterial hypertension. Among the examined patients with atrial fibrillation revealed were patients with persistent or recurrent persistent forms of atrial fibrillation, the latter were examined both without and during the paroxysm of arrhythmia. The comparison group was comprised of 21 practically healthy individuals. In all patients determined was the content of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and fibrinogen. Results. Paroxysms of atrial fibrillation were accompanied by a significant increase in the concentration of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The level of C-reactive protein had an inverse correlation with the severity of atrial fibrillation, that is, in cases of persistent atrial fibrillation it was lower than in cases of paroxysmal forms of atrial fibrillation, as well as in patients with arterial hypertension without the arrhythmia. Conclusion. Variation in the levels of inflammation markers is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation in patients with arterial hypertension.

atrial fibrillation, arterial hypertension, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, fibrinogen