E UROPACE 2003 maintenance of AF. CRP and proinflammatory cytokines, like interleukin-6 (II-6), have been implicated in autonomic nervous control in various clinical settings. I Al 7 5 PULMONARY VEINS AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: BEYOND ECTOPIC FOCI Aim: To investigate possible relations between heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of autonomic tone, and the level of CRP and IL-6, in patients with paroxysmal atria1 fibrillation, after sinus rhythm restoration. Methods: Forty patients with

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... al AF, no recent infection and no acute myocardial ischemia, who underwent sinus rhythm restoration by drugs, were studied prospectively. Blood sampling for measurement of CRP and II-6, and 24.hour electrocardiographic recording for HRV analysis were obtained immediately after conversion to sinus rhythm. Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA and Spearman correlation. Purpose: Atria1 fibrillation (AF) may be initiated by ectopic foci located in the pulmonary veins (Pv) and multiple reentry circuits may facilitate its persistence. These circuits require a critical mass of atria1 tissue inversely related to the refractory period. We investigated whether specific refractoriness properties of the PV may be implicated in the pathogenesis of AF.