Inflammation and the risk of atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices

Mean age was 68.8 ± 14.0 years, and 35.5% were women; AHREs were recorded in 173 patients [34.7%, 16.0%/year, 95% confidence interval (CI) 13.7-18.6]. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.020, 95% CI 1.004-1.035, p = 0.011], prior AF (HR 3.521, 95% CI 2.831-5.206, p < 0.001), white cell count (HR 1.039, 95% CI 1.007-1.072, p = 0.016) and high C reactive protein (CRP; HR 1.039, 95% CI 1.021-2.056, p = 0.038) were independently associated with AHREs. ROC curve analysis showed that the APPLE score (C statistic 0.53, 95% CI 0.48-0.59; p = 0.296) ALARMEc score (C statistic 0.51, 95% CI 0.44-0.57; p = 0.810) were non-significantly associated with AHRE. Similar results were obtained for CHADS₂ and CHA₂DS₂VASc score CONCLUSION: AHREs are common in CIEDs patients, with age, prior AF, inflammatory markers (high CRP, white cell count) being factors associated with AHREs onset. Clinical risk scores showed limited value for AHREs prediction in this cohort.