By Ahmed El-Medany
Among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, inflammatory markers strongly predict heart failure (HF) hospitilisation.
Benz et al analysed 3,784 individuals with AF (median follow-up 4 years). High-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured at baseline. The authors state, ‘We calculated an inflammation score ranging from 0 to 4 (1 point for each biomarker between the 50th and 75th percentile, 2 points for each biomarker above the 75th percentile)’.
After multivariable adjustment, both biomarkers were significantly associated with risk of HF hospitalisation (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22; 95% CI, 1.11–1.34 for hs‐CRP; adjusted HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.35–1.62 for IL-6).
Similar results were obtained for the inflammation score (highest versus lowest score, adjusted HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.80–3.30; p <0.001).
Read more on the Journal of the American Heart Association website.
Benz AP, Aeschbacher S, Krisai P, Moschovitis G, Blum S, Meyre P, Blum MR, Rodondi N, Di Valentino M, Kobza R, De Perna ML. Biomarkers of Inflammation and Risk of Hospitalization for Heart Failure in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Journal of the American Heart Association. 10 April 2021
