CRP and atrial fibrillation: At the univariate level (Table 2), male sex, heart failure at study entry, severe mitral regurgitation, left ventricular end diastolic dimension >55 mm, left ventricular end systolic dimension >40 mm, atrial fibrillation, infective endocarditis, elevated CRP, and benzathine penicillin adherence less than 80%, were significantly associated with increased mortality.