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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Characteristics of PR interval as predictor for atrial fibrillation: association with biomarkers and outcomes
Katja Schumacher1, Nikolaos Dagres1, Gerhard Hindricks1
1Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, HELIOS Kliniken GmbH, University of Leipzig, Struempellstrasse 39, 04289, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract:
The PR interval may be considered as a simple and easily obtainable predictor for adverse events, including atrial fibrillation (AF), pacemaker implantation, and mortality. Interestingly, both high and low extremes of the PR duration are associated with AF risk. However, the results regarding PR prolongation as a risk factor for AF are inconsistent. Some studies have analyzed the impact of P duration (as a part of the PR interval) and demonstrated that the P-duration contributes to the length of PR interval and adverse outcomes. The PR prolongation could be considered as a marker for cardiovascular degenerative aging caused by myocardial fibrosis and vascular inflammation. Furthermore, due to PR prolongation chronically raised intra-atrial pressure and consequential neuro-hormonal activation predispose systemic vascular endothelial dysfunction and explain the associations with adverse vascular events. In this review, we discuss the association between biomarkers with PR interval in AF.
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