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Are glucocorticoids a treatment or a risk factor?

Inflammation might be involved in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. Glucocorticoid use can attenuate inflammation and might be an effective therapy for atrial fibrillation. However, some population-based studies have reported an increased risk of atrial fibrillation associated with glucocorticoid use. Whether this link results from a direct effect of glucocorticoids or from the underlying inflammatory disease remains to be elucidated.

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Correspondence to Isabelle C. Van Gelder.

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Rienstra, M., Van Gelder, I. Are glucocorticoids a treatment or a risk factor?. Nat Rev Cardiol 7, 122–123 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2010.2

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