Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2012; 40(6): 499-504 | DOI: 10.5543/tkda.2012.64160

Relation of inflammatory and oxidative markers to the occurrence and recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation

Sedat Köroğlu¹, Cemal Tuncer², Gurkan Acar², Ahmet Akcay², Gulizar Sokmen², Sila Yalcintas³, Alper Nacar⁴, Burak Altun⁵, Abdullah Sokmen^2
1Department Of Cardiology, Afsin State Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
²Department Of Cardiology, Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
³Department Of Cardiology, Sirnak State Hospital, Sirnak, Turkey
⁴Department Of Cardiology, Elbistan State Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
⁵Department Of Cardiology, Adiyaman State Hospital, Adiyaman, Turkey

OBJECTIVES
There is increasing evidence linking inflammation and oxidative stress to atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that C-reactive protein (CRP) and oxidative stress markers can predict the recurrence of persistent AF after successful pharmacological cardioversion. A possible relationship with AF occurrence was also investigated.

STUDY DESIGN
Using a case-control study design, CRP, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of 42 patients (23 female, 19 male; mean age 58.4±13.6 years) with documented persistent AF episodes were compared with 21 controls (9 female; 12 male; mean age 58.1±6.9 years).

RESULTS
Overall AF patients were followed for 6 months, and 17 showed recurrence. Then, they were divided into two groups (recurrence and no recurrence) and compared with each other. CRP, SOD, and MDA levels were significantly higher in AF patients compared with controls. However, only CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with AF recurrence compared to those without recurrence.

CONCLUSION
Increased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress are found in patients with persistent AF, suggesting that inflammation and oxidative stress may be associated with the presence of arrhythmia.

Keywords: Anti-arrhythmia agents, arrhythmias, cardiac, atrial fibrillation/therapy; C-reactive protein; case-control studies; inflammation mediators; oxidative stress/physiology

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