Ozkan E, Elcik D, Barutcu S, Kelesoglu S, Alp ME, Ozan R, Capar G, Turkmen O, Cinier G, Polat V, Inanc MT, Kepez A, Akgun T. Inflammatory Markers as Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploring the C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in Cryoablation Patients.
J Clin Med 2023;
12:6313. [PMID:
37834958 PMCID:
PMC10573371 DOI:
10.3390/jcm12196313]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac rhythm disorder associated with hemodynamic disruptions and thromboembolic events. While antiarrhythmic drugs are often recommended as the initial treatment, catheter ablation has emerged as a viable alternative. However, the recurrence of AF following ablation remains a challenge, and there is growing interest in exploring inflammatory markers as predictors of recurrence.
METHODS
This retrospective, cross-sectional analysis included 249 patients who underwent cryoablation for paroxysmal AF. The relationship between the 'C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR)' and AF recurrence was examined.
RESULTS
Two hundred and forty-nine patients with paroxysmal non-valvular atrial fibrillation were included. They were divided into two groups: those without recurrence (Group 1) and those with recurrence (Group 2). Significant differences were observed in age (57.2 ± 9.9 vs. 62.5 ± 8.4, p = 0.001) and left atrial size (4.0 ± 0.5 vs. 4.2 ± 0.7, p = 0.001) between the two groups. In blood parameters, significant differences were found in CRP (5.2 ± 1.3 vs. 9.4 ± 2.8, p < 0.001) and neutrophil counts (5.1 ± 2.2 vs. 6.7 ± 3.6, p = 0.001). In univariate regression analysis, age (OR: 1.058, CI: 1.024-1.093, p = 0.001), WBC count (OR: 1.201, CI: 1.092-1.322, p < 0.001), neutrophil count (OR: 1.239, CI: 1.114-1.378, p = 0.001), CAR (OR: 1.409, CI: 1.183-1.678, p < 0.001), and left atrial diameter (OR: 0.968, CI: 0.948-0.989, p = 0.002) showed significant associations with AF recurrence.
CONCLUSIONS
Inflammation plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of AF. This study demonstrated that along with age, the CAR can serve as an independent predictor of AF recurrence following cryoablation.
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