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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Perioperative Inflammatory Cytokine Profiles in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Catheter Treatment: A
Kenzhebek Bizhanov1,2, Adil Baimbetov1, Alexander Sapunov1
1Department of Interventional Cardiology, Arrhythmology and Endovascular Surgery, Syzganov National Scientific Center of Surgery, Almaty 050004, Kazakhstan.
Insights
Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation alters inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and IL-17A over time. Cytokine levels differ based on AF type and recurrence, suggesting immune monitoring may aid AF management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia globally.
- Inflammatory cytokines are increasingly linked to AF development, persistence, and recurrence post-ablation.
- Prospective perioperative cytokine data from Central Asia are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate temporal changes in serum cytokines among AF patients undergoing catheter ablation.
- To compare cytokine profiles based on AF type and recurrence status post-ablation.
- To explore the role of cytokines in AF pathogenesis and management.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study involving 166 AF patients in Kazakhstan.
- Serum cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-1α, IL-28A) measured by ELISA at baseline, immediately post-ablation, and at 6 months.
- Statistical analysis included Friedman, Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
Main Results:
- Significant temporal changes observed in IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A (p < 0.001).
- IL-6 initially increased post-ablation then decreased below baseline at 6 months; IL-17A showed progressive decline.
- At 6 months, IL-1α was higher in primary AF versus recurrent AF (p = 0.047); baseline IL-1β and IL-28A differed by AF subtype (p = 0.040, p = 0.014).
Conclusions:
- Catheter ablation for AF induces distinct temporal changes in key inflammatory cytokines.
- Cytokine profiles vary significantly with AF type and recurrence, indicating potential for immune monitoring.
- Findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating, suggesting further research into immune modulation for AF management.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia worldwide, with inflammatory cytokines increasingly implicated in its development, persistence, and post-ablation recurrence. However, prospective perioperative cytokine data from Central Asia are lacking. The objective of the study is to evaluate temporal changes in inflammatory cytokines in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation and assess differences by AF type and recurrence status. Methods: In this prospective observational study conducted at the Syzganov National Scientific Center of Surgery, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 166 AF patients (mean age 66.1 ± 8.2 years; 57.8% male) were enrolled. Serum cytokines were measured using ELISA at baseline, immediately postablation, and at 6 months. Temporal changes were analysed using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, while between-group comparisons used Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A showed significant temporal changes (all p < 0.001). IL-6 increased immediately after ablation (0.088 to 0.122 pg/mL) before decreasing below baseline at 6 months (0.079 pg/mL). IL-17A progressively declined across all time points (0.073, 0.069, and 0.048 pg/mL). At 6 months, IL-1α levels were higher in primary versus recurrent AF (0.079 vs. 0.067 pg/mL; p = 0.047). Baseline IL-1β and IL-28A differed across AF subtypes (p = 0.040 and p = 0.014). No pre-operative cytokine independently predicted recurrence. Conclusions: AF ablation is associated with distinct cytokine trajectories, particularly for IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A. Cytokine profiles vary by AF type and recurrence, highlighting the potential role of immune monitoring in AF management. These findings should be regarded as exploratory and hypothesis-generating.
