Abstract:Objective To investigate the mechanism of T helper cell 17 (Th17) and its cytokines of peripheral blood in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Methods From January to December 2017, 50 patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation in our hospital were selected as an observation group, and 50 healthy adults were served as a control group. The expression levels of Th17 and its cytokines were observed in both groups, and the correlations of Th17 and interleukin -17 (IL-17) with clinical characteristics of the patients were further analyzed. Results Compared with the control group, the Th17 and IL-17 increased in the observation group (P < 0.05). Th17 in the patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation complicated with hypertension was higher than that of the patients without hypertension (P < 0.05). IL-17 in the patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation complicated with hypertension or diabetes was higher than that of the patients without hypertension or diabetes (P < 0.05). Th17 and IL-17 in the patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.212 and -0.209, P = 0.021 and 0.028). Conclusions The increase of Th17 and IL-17 in the peripheral blood of the patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation is related to hypertension, diabetes and cardiac insufficiency.