C-reactive protein and factor of tumors-alpha necrosis in atrial fibrillation in arterial hypertension patients, their prognostic significance

Inflammation markers in patients with atrial fibrillation and arterial hypertension were investigated and their prognostic value was determined in the study. We studied 97 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (permanent, recurrent persistent AF during and without episodes of arrhythmia). It is concluded, that high levels of TNF-a are associated with presence of atrial fibrillation. This cytokine is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation development and its attack in patients with arterial hypertension. High concentrations of CRP and TNF-a are risk factors of arterial hypertension.