Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue with a current prevalence of over 5.8 million in theUSAand over 23 million worldwide. Inflammation is connected with a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, and the association between inflammation and AF is increasingly being substantiated. The mechanism of inflammation with AF connection is still unknown, and it is also unclear whether inflammation is an initiator or rather a consequence of AF.
The purpose of study was to evaluate the immune system features in patients with heart failure and concomitant atrial fibrillation.
Material and methods. There were observed 389 patients with ischemic HF ІІ–IV FC (NYHA), including 32 patients with concomitant permanent AF. The main populations of lymphocytes were detected by indirect immunofluorescence method; the level of immunoglobulines were detected by ELISA.
Results. There were found no differences in CD3+, CD4+, CD16+, CD25+ and CD8+ lymphocytes counts between AF and sinus rhythm HF patients. AF is characterized by CD19+ lymphocytes increase, and CD95+ lymphocytes decrease as compared to a normal rhythm. The levels of IgG, IgM and Ig A were significant the lowest in both groups as compared to control. The serum IgA level was decreased in sinus rhythm HF patients.
Conclusion. Atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure is characterized by high level of CD19+, CD25+ and CD95+ cells which can be a sign of inflammation activity.