[Relationship between C-reactive protein level and early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion]. / Relación entre concentraciones de proteína C reactiva y recurrencia precoz de la fibrilación auricular tras cardioversión eléctrica.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Atrial remodeling is responsible for the early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardioversion. Recently, it has been shown that the C-reactive protein (CRP) level is elevated in patients with AF, indicating that inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of this arrhythmia. We postulated that a high CRP level would predict early recurrence of AF after electrical cardioversion. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Forty-two patients with persistent AF, but without known heart disease, who underwent elective electrical cardioversion were investigated. The CRP level was measured immediately before cardioversion. The study population comprised the 37 patients in whom sinus rhythm was restored. RESULTS: After a follow-up period of 30 days, 16 patients (43%) had recurrence of AF; the other 21 (57%) remained in sinus rhythm. The mean CRP level was significantly higher in patients with AF recurrence (6.3 [3.3] mg/L vs 2.4 [2.1] mg/L, P=.0001). On dividing patients according to whether their CRP level was < or =3 mg/L or >3 mg/L, it was observed that only 33% of those in sinus rhythm had a level >3 mg/L compared with 81% of those with AF recurrence (P=.004). Patients with a CRP level >3 mg/L had a significant increase in the 1-month risk of AF recurrence (RR=3.7; 95% CI, 1.3-10.8). There was no association between CRP level and left atrial diameter (P =.50) or AF duration (P=.458). CONCLUSIONS: A high CRP level is associated with early recurrence of AF after electrical cardioversion, suggesting that inflammation could play a role in atrial remodeling.

Relación entre concentraciones de proteína C reactiva y recurrencia precoz de la fibrilación auricular tras cardioversión eléctrica / Relationship between C-reactive protein level and early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion

Introducción y objetivos. El remodelado auricular es la causa principal de recurrencia de la fibrilación auricular (FA) tras la cardioversión. Se han observado concentraciones elevadas de proteína C reactiva (PCR) en pacientes con FA, lo que sugiere que la inflamación puede participar en la patogenia de esta arritmia. Nosotros planteamos que las concentraciones elevadas de PCR podrían estar asociadas con la recurrencia de la FA tras cardioversión eléctrica. Pacientes y método. Se analizó a 42 pacientes con FA persistente remitidos para cardioversión eléctrica electiva, sin cardiopatía ni proceso intercurrente conocido. La PCR se obtuvo inmediatamente antes de la cardioversión. Se restauró ritmo sinusal (RS) en 37 pacientes. Resultados. A los 30 días, 16 pacientes estaban de nuevo en FA (43%) y los restantes 21 permanecían en RS (57%). La PCR media fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes con recurrencia de la FA (6,3 ± 3,3 frente a 2,4 ± 2,1 mg/l; p = 0,0001). Al dividir a los pacientes de acuerdo con los valores de PCR ≤ 3 y > 3 mg/l, sólo el 33% de los que estaban en RS tenía valores > 3 mg/l, frente al 81% de los pacientes con recurrencia de la FA (p = 0,004). Los individuos con PCR > 3 mg/l tenían más riesgo de estar en FA al mes (riesgo relativo [RR] = 3,7; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,3-10,8). La PCR no se asoció con el tamaño de aurícula izquierda (p = 0,50) ni con el tiempo de evolución de la FA (p = 0,458). Conclusiones. Los valores elevados de PCR están asociados con la recurrencia precoz de la FA tras cardioversión eléctrica, lo que sugiere que la inflamación podría participar en el remodelado auricular

Introduction and objectives. Atrial remodeling is responsible for the early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardioversion. Recently, it has been shown that the C-reactive protein (CRP) level is elevated in patients with AF, indicating that inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of this arrhythmia. We postulated that a high CRP level would predict early recurrence of AF after electrical cardioversion. Patients and method. Forty-two patients with persistent AF, but without known heart disease, who underwent elective electrical cardioversion were investigated. The CRP level was measured immediately before cardioversion. The study population comprised the 37 patients in whom sinus rhythm was restored. Results. After a follow-up period of 30 days, 16 patients (43%) had recurrence of AF; the other 21 (57%) remained in sinus rhythm. The mean CRP level was significantly higher in patients with AF recurrence (6.3 [3.3] mg/L vs 2.4 [2.1] mg/L, P=.0001). On dividing patients according to whether their CRP level was ≤3 mg/L or >3 mg/L, it was observed that only 33% of those in sinus rhythm had a level >3 mg/L compared with 81% of those with AF recurrence (P=.004). Patients with a CRP level >3 mg/L had a significant increase in the 1-month risk of AF recurrence (RR=3.7; 95% CI, 1.3-10.8). There was no association between CRP level and left atrial diameter (P =.50) or AF duration (P=.458). Conclusions. A high CRP level is associated with early recurrence of AF after electrical cardioversion, suggesting that inflammation could play a role in atrial remodeling

[Follow-up findings one year after discharge from a chest pain unit]. / Seguimineto a un año de los pacientes dados de alta de una unidad de dolor torácico.

One hundred and twenty five consecutive patients discharged from a chest pain unit (group I, 32 with the diagnosis of probable ischemic heart disease and group II, 93 with the diagnosis of non-vascular pain) were prospectively followed up for one year. In group I (treadmill exercise testing were positive at a high workload in 15, negative in 9 and inconclusive in 4), one patient had non-ST elevation acute coronary event 15 days after discharge and two patients had unstable angina at 3 and 5 months. There were no events among the patients who had positive or inconclusive exercise testing. In group II (treadmill exercise testing were negative in 85 and inconclusive in 5) one patient had non-ST elevation acute coronary event at 7 months and one had unstable angina at 11 months. In conclusion, patients discharged from a chest pain unit, including those patients with positive treadmill exercise at a high workload, have a favorable mid-term outcome.

Seguimiento a un año de los pacientes dados de alta de una unidad de dolor torácico / Follow-up findings one year after discharge from a chest pain unit

Un total de 125 pacientes dados de alta de nuestra unidad de dolor torácico (grupo I: 32 con diagnóstico de cardiopatía isquémica probable y grupo II: 93 con dolor inespecífico, razonablemente no vascular) fueron seguidos durante 12 meses. En el grupo I (ergometría positiva a alta carga en 15, negativa en 9 y no concluyente en 4), un paciente presentó infarto agudo sin elevación del segmento ST a los 15 días y 2 pacientes angina inestable a los 3 y 5 meses. No hubo eventos entre los pacientes con ergometría positiva o no concluyente. En el grupo II (ergometría negativa en 85, no concluyente en 5), un paciente presentó infarto agudo sin elevación del segmento ST a los 9 meses y otro reingresó por angina inestable a los 12 meses. Concluimos que los pacientes dados de alta de una unidad de dolor torácico, incluidos aquellos con ergometría positiva de bajo riesgo, tienen un favorable pronóstico a medio plazo (AU)