Indeed, circulating IL-6 level is associated with increased left atrial size, supporting a link between the cytokine and atrial remodeling.[41] In Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study population, elevated IL-6 was associated with depressed LV systolic function, which was shown to be independent of known cardiovascular risk factors and CRP.[50] These finding argue that IL-6 may be a better predictor of the inflammatory effects in the myocardium in the general population as well as in patients with CKD. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is chronic kidney disease.