IL-1β sensitization to atrial fibrillation depends on caspase-1 expression

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Several conditions sensitize to AF, most of which involve inflammation. The incidence of AF events is high in patients with high levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, such as hypertension, rheumatic disease, or gout. Both mature caspase-1, and IL-1β were increased in cardiomyocytes from post-operative AF. However, the role of IL-1β on the pathogenesis of AF remains unknown.