IL6 and atrial fibrillation: Mechanistically, systemic inflammation, reflected by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and pathogen-specific atrial remodeling were implicated.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Periodontitis is consistently associated with higher AF recurrence after ablation, likely mediated by systemic inflammation and oral pathogen activity, highlighting periodontitis as a modifiable risk factor for AF recurrence.