Usefulness of C-reactive protein in predicting early and late recurrences after atrial fibrillation ablation

Abstract

We studied the C-reactive protein level and its predictive value for early and late arrhythmia recurrences after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. We analysed data from 125 consecutive patients (52 with paroxysmal AF) who underwent a first AF ablation. C-reactive protein level was determined at baseline and at Days 1, 2, and 3 post-AF ablation. An early recurrence (ER) was defined as any arrhythmia occurring within the first month following the index ablation. Sixty-eight patients (54) experienced ER. Twenty-nine patients were re-ablated for ER within the first month and were not included for the long-term follow-up analysis. Of the remaining 96 patients, 59 (61) experienced late recurrences. C-reactive protein level increased significantly after AF ablation with a peak (40 ± 32 mg/L) occurring 2 days after the index procedure. Patients without ER had a significant higher C-reactive protein level (49 ± 52 vs. 32 ± 22 mg/L, P=0.02) compared with patients without ER. However, the C-reactive protein level was similar in patients with or without late recurrences. C-reactive protein level was the only independent predictor of ERs (P = 0.03). C-reactive protein level increased significantly after AF ablation. High C-reactive protein level was associated with fewer early arrhythmia recurrences. No relationship was found between C-reactive protein level and late arrhythmia recurrences.