An enhanced inflammatory response is frequently associated with AF development (Aviles et al., 2003; Harada et al., 2015) and increased levels of circulating IL-1β and IL-18 positively correlated with progression from paroxysmal AF (pAF) to long-lasting persistent AF (perAF), along with left atrial dilatation (an independent risk factor of AF) in AF patients (Luan et al., 2010; Gungor et al., 2013). The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is atrial fibrillation.