[1. Fuster V, Ryden LE, Cannom DS, et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation): developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society. Circulation. 2006:114:e257-e354.]Search in Google Scholar
[2. Lip GY, Brechin CM, Lane DA. The global burden of atrial fibrillation and stroke: a systematic review of the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in regions outside North America and Europe. Chest. 2012;142:1489-1498.10.1378/chest.11-2888]Search in Google Scholar
[3. Schnabel RB, Sullivan LM, Levy D, et al. Development of a risk score for atrial fibrillation (Framingham Heart Study): a community-based cohort study. Lancet. 2009;373:739-745.10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60443-8]Search in Google Scholar
[4. Haïssaguerre M, Jais P, Shah DC, et al. Spontaneous initiation of atrial fibrillation by ectopic beats originating in the pulmonary veins. N Engl J Med. 1998;339:659-666.10.1056/NEJM1998090333910039725923]Search in Google Scholar
[5. Benedek I, Hintea T, Toganel R. Myocardial fibers in pulmonary veins – possible compensatory factor in dilated cardiomyopathy. Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine. 1998;36:175-183.]Search in Google Scholar
[6. Wijffels MC, Kirchhof CJ, Dorland R, Allessie MA. Atrial fibrillation begets atrial fibrillation. A study in awake chronically instrumented goats. Circulation. 1995;92:1954-1968.10.1161/01.CIR.92.7.19547671380]Search in Google Scholar
[7. Paulus K, Benussi S, Kotecha D, et al. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Eur Heart J. 2016;37:2893-2962.10.1093/eurheartj/ehw21027567408]Search in Google Scholar
[8. Ganesan AN, Shipp NJ, Brooks AG, et al. Long-term outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2013;2:e004549.10.1161/JAHA.112.004549364728623537812]Search in Google Scholar
[9. Calkins H, Reynolds MR, Spector P, et al. Treatment of atrial fibrillation with antiarrhythmic drugs or radiofrequency ablation: two systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2009;2:349-361.10.1161/CIRCEP.108.82478919808490]Search in Google Scholar
[10. Kenchaiah S, Evans JC, Levy D, et al. Obesity and the risk of heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2002:347:305-313.10.1056/NEJMoa02024512151467]Search in Google Scholar
[11. Nattel S, Harada M. Atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation: recent advances and translational perspectives. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63:2335-2345.10.1016/j.jacc.2014.02.55524613319]Search in Google Scholar
[12. Tan AY, Zimetbaum P. Atrial fibrillation and atrial fibrosis. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2011;57:625-629.10.1097/FJC.0b013e3182073c78411365421266918]Search in Google Scholar
[13. Dzeshka MS, Lip GY, Snezhitskiy V, Shantsila E4. Cardiac Fibrosis in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. JACC. 2015;66:943-959.10.1016/j.jacc.2015.06.131326293766]Search in Google Scholar
[14. Pinto T, Oliveira M, Ramos R, et al. Left atrial appendage volume as a new predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2017;49:165-171.10.1007/s10840-017-0256-428567579]Search in Google Scholar
[15. Luong C, Thompson DJ, Bennett M, et al. Right Atrial Volume Is Superior to Left Atrial Volume for Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Direct Current Cardioversion. Can J Cardiol. 2015;31:29-35.10.1016/j.cjca.2014.10.00925547547]Search in Google Scholar
[16. Njoku A, Kannabhiran M, Arora R, et al. Left atrial volume predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency ablation: a meta-analysis. Europace. 2018;20:33-42.10.1093/europace/eux01328444307]Search in Google Scholar
[17. Tong L, Guangping L, Lijian L, Korantzopoulos P. Association Between C-Reactive Protein and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation After Successful Electrical Cardioversion. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007;49:1642-1648.10.1016/j.jacc.2006.12.04217433956]Search in Google Scholar
[18. den Uijl DW, Delgado V, Tops LF, et al. Natriuretic peptide levels predict recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation. Am Heart J. 2011;161:197-203.10.1016/j.ahj.2010.09.03121167354]Search in Google Scholar
[19. Xiangdong X, Yongqing T. Relationship between Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Successful Electrical Cardioversion: an Updated Meta-Analysis. Braz J Cardiovasc Surg. 2017;32:530-535.]Search in Google Scholar
[20. Therkelsen SK, Groenning BA, Svendsen JH, Jensen GB. Atrial and ventricular volume and function evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation before and after cardioversion. Am J Cardiol. 2006;97:1213-1219.10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.11.04016616028]Search in Google Scholar
[21. Marchese P, Bursi F, Delle Donne G, et al. Indexed left atrial volume predicts the recurrence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation after successful cardioversion. Eur J Echocardiogr. 2011;12:214-221.10.1093/ejechocard/jeq17621149290]Search in Google Scholar
[22. Marchese P, Malavasi V, Rossi L, et al. Indexed left atrial volume is superior to left atrial diameter in predicting nonvalvular atrial fibrillation recurrence after successful cardioversion: a prospective study. Echocardiography. 2012;29:276-284.10.1111/j.1540-8175.2011.01580.x22098539]Search in Google Scholar
[23. D’Ascenzo F, Corleto A, Biondi-Zoccai G, et al. Which are the most reliable predictors of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after transcatheter ablation?: a meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2013;167:1984-1999.10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.05.00822626840]Search in Google Scholar
[24. Wang TJ, Parise H, Levy D, et al. Obesity and the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation. JAMA. 2004:292:2471-2477.10.1001/jama.292.20.247115562125]Search in Google Scholar
[25. Wanahita N, Messerli FH, Bangalore S, Gami AS, Somers VK, Steinberg JS. Atrial fibrillation and obesity – results of a meta-analysis. Am Heart J. 2008:155:310-315.10.1016/j.ahj.2007.10.00418215602]Search in Google Scholar
[26. Thanassoulis G, Massaro JM, O’Donnell CJ, et al. Pericardial fat is associated with prevalent atrial fibrillation: the Framingham Heart Study. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2010;3:345-350.10.1161/CIRCEP.109.912055295385520558845]Search in Google Scholar
[27. Gaeta M, Bandera F, Tassinari F, et al. Is epicardial fat depot associated with atrial fibrillation? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Europace. 2017;19:747-752.10.1093/europace/euw39828087595]Search in Google Scholar
[28. Al-Rawahi M, Proietti R, Thanassoulis G. Pericardial fat and atrial fibrillation: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and interventions. Int J Cardiol. 2015;195:98-103.10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.05.12926025867]Search in Google Scholar
[29. Batal O, Schoenhagen P, Shao M, et al. Left atrial epicardial adiposity and atrial fibrillation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2010;3:230-236.10.1161/CIRCEP.110.957241297456620504944]Search in Google Scholar
[30. Greif M, von Ziegler F, Wakili R, et al. Increased pericardial adipose tissue is correlated with atrial fibrillation and left atrial dilatation. Clin Res Cardiol. 2013;102:555–562.10.1007/s00392-013-0566-123584714]Search in Google Scholar
[31. Chekakie MO, Akar JG. Epicardial Fat and Atrial Fibrillation: A Review. J Atr Fibrillation. 2012;4:483.]Search in Google Scholar
[32. Chekakie MO, Welles CC, Metoyer R, et al. Pericardial fat is independently associated with human atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;56:784-788.10.1016/j.jacc.2010.03.07120797492]Search in Google Scholar
[33. Iacobellis G, Corradi D, Sharma AM. Epicardial adipose tissue: anatomic, biomolecular and clinical relationships with the heart. Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med. 2005;2:536-543.10.1038/ncpcardio031916186852]Search in Google Scholar
[34. Sawaya SE, Rajawat YS, Rami TG, et al. Downregulation of connexin40 and increased prevalence of atrial arrhythmias in transgenic mice with cardiac-restricted overexpression of tumor necrosis factor. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2007;292:H1561-H1567.10.1152/ajpheart.00285.200617122196]Search in Google Scholar
[35. Marcus GM, Whooley MA, Glidden DV, Pawlikowska L, Zaroff JG, Olgin JE. Interleukin-6 and atrial fibrillation in patients with coronary artery disease: data from the Heart and Soul Study. Am Heart J. 2008;155:303-309.10.1016/j.ahj.2007.09.006224736618215601]Search in Google Scholar
[36. Tselentakis EV, Woodford E, Chandy J, Gaudette GR, Saltman AE. Inflammation effects on the electrical properties of atrial tissue and inducibility of postoperative atrial fibrillation. J Surg Res. 2006;135:68-75.10.1016/j.jss.2006.03.02416650868]Search in Google Scholar
[37. Chung MK, Martin DO, Sprecher D, et al. C-reactive protein elevation in patients with atrial arrhythmias: inflammatory mechanisms and persistence of atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 2001;104:2886-2891.10.1161/hc4901.10176011739301]Search in Google Scholar
[38. Malouf JF, Kanagala R, Al Atawi FO, et al. High sensitivity C-reactive protein: a novel predictor for recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful cardioversion. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46:1284-1287.10.1016/j.jacc.2005.06.05316198844]Search in Google Scholar
[39. Aviles RJ, Martin DO, Apperson-Hansen C, et al. Inflammation as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 2003;108:3006-3010.10.1161/01.CIR.0000103131.70301.4F14623805]Search in Google Scholar
[40. Rotter M, Jais P, Vergnes MC, et al. Decline in C-reactive protein after successful ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;47:1231-1233.10.1016/j.jacc.2005.12.03816545659]Search in Google Scholar
[41. Sacks HS, Fain JN. Human epicardial adipose tissue: a review. Am Heart J. 2007;153:907-917.10.1016/j.ahj.2007.03.01917540190]Search in Google Scholar
[42. Verheule S, Sato T, Everett TT, et al. Increased vulnerability to atrial fibrillation in transgenic mice with selective atrial fibrosis caused by overexpression of TGF-beta1. Circ Res. 2004;94:1458-1465.10.1161/01.RES.0000129579.59664.9d212910215117823]Search in Google Scholar
[43. Konishi M, Sugiyama S, Sugamura K, et al. Accumulation of pericardial fat correlates with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with normal ejection fraction. J Cardiol. 2012;59:344-351.10.1016/j.jjcc.2012.01.00622365950]Search in Google Scholar
[44. Palazzuoli A, Beltrami M, Ruocco G, et al. The Role of Natriuretic Peptides for the Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Dysfunction. Scientific World Journal. 2013;2013:784670.10.1155/2013/784670380444724191143]Search in Google Scholar
[45. Mottram PM, Leano R, Marwick TH. Usefulness of B-type natriuretic peptide in hypertensive patients with exertional dyspnea and normal left ventricular ejection fraction and correlation with new echocardiographic indexes of systolic and diastolic function. Am J Cardiol. 2003;92:1434-1438.10.1016/j.amjcard.2003.08.05314675580]Search in Google Scholar
[46. Lubien E, DeMaria A, Krishnaswamy P, et al. Utility of B-natriuretic peptide in detecting diastolic dysfunction: comparison with Doppler velocity recordings. Circulation. 2002;105:595-601.10.1161/hc0502.10301011827925]Search in Google Scholar
[47. Ellinor PT, Low AF, Patton KK, Shea MA, Macrae CA. Discordant atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide levels in lone atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;45:82-86.10.1016/j.jacc.2004.09.04515629379]Search in Google Scholar
[48. Wozakowska-Kaplon, B. Effect of sinus rhythm restoration on plasma brain natriuretic peptide in patients with atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 2004;93:1555-1558.10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.03.01315194036]Search in Google Scholar
[49. Bartkowiak, R, Wozakowska-Kapłon B, Janiszewska G. Plasma NT-proANP in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent successful cardioversion. Kardiol Pol. 2012;68:48-54.]Search in Google Scholar
[50. Yamada T, Murakami Y, Okada T, et al. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide levels after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 2006;97:1741-1744.10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.12.07116765125]Search in Google Scholar