D-dimer and vWF were significantly and positively associated with NT-proBNP (a marker of neurohormonal activation and left ventricular wall stress) even after adjustment for age, lifestyle characteristics, renal dysfunction, atrial fibrillation (AF) and inflammation (C-reactive protein).
There were 9 deaths (10.7%), and the risk factors were: anemia, BNP and C reactive protein levels, pulmonary hypertension >55 mm Hg, and atrial fibrillation.
In univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, an elevated preoperative monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio ( P = 0.03) and C-reactive protein levels ( P = 0.0001) were predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation.
In a multiple logistic regression model, advanced age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.448 per decade increase, p < 0.0001), a combination of CABG and valve surgery (OR = 1.711, p = 0.047), higher C-reactive protein (OR = 1.06 per unit increase, p < 0.0001) and creatinine plasma concentration (OR = 1.287 per unit increase, p = 0.032) significantly predicted new onset AF.
The c statistic of the base model including AF risk factors, BNP, and CRP was 0.803 (95% CI 0.777-0.830) and did not improve by adding individual or all 3 biomarkers.
Confounding factors were carefully considered, and multivariable analyses revealed that circulating CCL2 was significant and CRP was negligible to explain the presence of AF.
In multivariate regression analysis, presence of allele 2 of IL-1 VNTR polymorphism and elevated plasma high-sensitive-CRP levels were the independent predictors of lone AF.
We sought to determine the diagnostic validity of plasma biomarkers of i) inflammation (marked by interleukin-6 [IL-6] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]), ii) extracellular matrix remodelling (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP-9], tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase [TIMP-1]) and iii) the prothrombotic state (tissue factor and von Willebrand factor [vWF]) in the risk prediction of post-operative AF.
The normal levels of C-reactive protein and IL-6, along with the elevated levels of IL-8 in patients with permanent AF but not in those with paroxysmal AF, suggest a link between a low-grade inflammatory reaction and long-lasting AF.
CETP TaqIB polymorphism is significantly associated with the presence of AF in the context of micro- or macroalbuminuria, elevated C-reactive protein, renal dysfunction, and ischemic heart disease.