Serum Interleukin-6 and Highly Sensitive C-Reactive Protein as Inflammatory Biomarkers in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased C-reactive protein level and other acute phase reactant (fibrin-ogen level, interleukin 2, 6, 8, and others), which raise the question of the role of inflammation in this condition? Aim of the Work: To asses the relation between atrial fibrillation and serum inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6 Hs CRP). Study Design: The study included thirty AF patients. They were subjected to laboratory analysis of their serum IL-6 and Hs CRP. According to AF duration they were subdivided into two subgroups: •Recent onset AF subgroup. •Long standing persistent AF subgroup (AF has lasted for I year). Results: There was a positive correlation of IL-6 Hs CRP serum levels to the duration of AF (p 0.001 p 0.001) respectively. There was a significantly higher level of serum interleukin 6 in the persistent AF subgroup denoting a statis-tically significant difference between this group and the recent onset subgroup (p=0.007). Meanwhile there was no significant difference regarding serum Hs CRP between the recent onset AF subgroup and the persistent AF subgroup (T0.245). There was a significant difference between the two subgroups as regarding left atrial diameter (p=0.031). In the recent onset subgroup left atrial diameter ranged from 41 to 47mm with mean 44.5mm, ±2.5. In the persistent subgroup left atrial diameter ranged from 44 to 71mm with mean 50.3mm, ±6.2mm. There was a significant relation as regarding the incidence of stroke and increased serum level of IL-6 (p=0.001). Serum IL-6 in patients without stroke ranged from 12 to 1010pg/ml, with mean 424.5pg/ml, ±313.2 while serum IL-6 in patients with stroke ranged from 980 to 1320pg/ml with mean 1156.7Pg, ±110.4. Conclusion: Interleukin 6 and highly sensitive CRP biomarkers, were found to be good prognostic factors for atrial fibrillation.