Predictive value of indexes of inflammation and hypercoagulability on success of cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether success or failure of direct-current cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation may be related to indexes of inflammation (as indicated by C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, platelet activation [soluble P-selectin levels], endothelial damage/dysfunction [von Willebrand factor], coagulation cascade [tissue factor and fibrinogen], and rheology [plasma viscosity and hematocrit]). We found that C-reactive protein levels are a predictor of initial cardioversion success, although they failed to predict long-term outcome. Although inflammation may be associated with "permanence" of atrial fibrillation, indexes of platelet activation, endothelial damage/dysfunction, or coagulation showed no relation to the immediate and long-term (2-month) cardioversion outcome.