Imbalance of Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines Induced Different Types of Recurrent Atrial Arrhythmias after Drug Eluting Coronary Stent Implantation

Background: Atrial arrhythmias are associated with an increased risk of stroke and death in the elderly. The risk and predictive factors of recurrent atrial arrhythmias in elderly patients after coronary stenting are not well known. Objective: This research sought to investigate the roles of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine imbalances in different types of recurrent atrial arrhythmias in elderly patients defined as individuals aged 65 years or older after sirolimus eluting stent (Cordis, Warren, New Jersey) implantation. Methods: We measured interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-13 (IL-13) and interleukin- 37 (IL-37) in elderly patients with recurrent atrial arrhythmias and assessed the impact of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokine imbalances on recurrent atrial arrhythmias in elderly patients after coronary stenting. Results: Levels of IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were remarkably increased (p<0.001), and IL-10, IL- 17, IL-13, and IL-37 were remarkably lowered (p<0.001) in elderly patients with recurrent atrial arrhythmias after coronary stent implantation. Imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines induced recurrent atrial arrhythmias after coronary stenting. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine imbalances may be used to identify elderly patients who have an increased risk of developing recurrent atrial arrhythmias after coronary stenting. Conclusion: The imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was associated with recurrent atrial arrhythmias in elderly patients after coronary stenting. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines may be clinically useful biomarkers for predicting recurrent atrial arrhythmias in elderly patients after coronary stent implantation.