Circulating inflammatory markers including C-reactive peptide (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) positively correlate with the presence of AF, the progression from PAF to persAF, and with progressive LA dilation [30-34]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is atrial fibrillation.