Background
Inflammation has been implicated in the initiation and perpetuation of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a lack of similar data on AF in rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The
Conclusions
Elevated levels of serum hs-CRP, IL-6, and sCD-40L were strongly associated with overall AF and also with SCAF and chronic AF in Rh-MS patients indicating a potential role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of rheumatic AF.
Methods
A comparative cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 181 Rh-MS patients in normal sinus rhythm (NSR; n = 69), subclinical transient AF (SCAF; detected by 24-hours Holter monitoring; n = 30) and chronic AF (n = 82). Serum hs-CRP, IL-6, and sCD-40L were assessed using ELISA immunoassay and compared in all groups of Rh-MS with or without AF.
Results
We found significantly higher serum hs-CRP and sCD-40L levels in the overall AF (Chronic AF + SCAF) group (hs-CRP: 4.5 ± 3.4 vs 2.3 ± 2.9 mg/L, P < .01; sCD-40L: 6.4 ± 4.8 vs 3.1 ± 3.4 ng/mL, P < .01) and chronic AF subgroup (hs-CRP: 4.9 ± 3.4 vs 2.3 ± 2.9 mg/L, P < .01; sCD-40L: 6.9 ± 5.1 vs 3.1 ± 3.4 ng/mL, P < .01) compared to patients with sinus rhythm. There was a statistically significant graded increase of serum IL-6 level from the NSR to the SCAF (vs NSR: 6.8 ± 3.9 vs 4.0 ± 2.2 pg/mL, P = .03), and chronic AF subgroups (vs NSR: 9.3 ± 6.5 vs 4.0 ± 2.2 pg/mL, P < .01; vs SCAF: 9.3 ± 6.5 vs 6.8 ± 3.9, P = .05) of atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: Elevated levels of serum hs-CRP, IL-6, and sCD-40L were strongly associated with overall AF and also with SCAF and chronic AF in Rh-MS patients indicating a potential role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of rheumatic AF.