IL18 and atrial fibrillation: Elevated plasma level of IL-6 has been found to correlate with increased mortality in general population, elderly and in patients with CKD.[44–47] Barreto et al noted that IL-6 is a significantly better predictor of all cause and cardiovascular mortality than CRP, albumin and TNF-α in patients with CKD.[48] Zocalli showed that an inflammation score composed of CRP, IL-6, IL-1, IL-18, and TNF-α predicts death no better than IL-6 alone in ESRD patients.[49] CRP is elevated in patients with AF and is also a predictive of new onset AF in Cardiovascular Health Study participants.[34]