Determinants of Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Patients With Lone Atrial Fibrillation

NT‐proBNP is associated with mortality and adverse cardiac events in patients with atrial fibrillation presenting to the emergency department

“…26,27 In AF, the mechanism of increased atrial and ventricular wall tension is probably due to higher wedge pressures as a result of absence of atrial contraction, irregularity of the ventricular contractions, and an increase in left atrial size. 28 In our study, a correlation was observed between signs of congestion on the x-ray and a higher NT-proBNP category, as well as a history of previous HF. However, factors other than HF may play a role.…”

Biochemical markers in early diagnosis and management of systemic amyloidoses

“…Nevertheless, natriuretic peptides remain powerful and useful markers also in patients with renal failure [23]. Moreover, B-type natriuretic peptides should be used with great caution to evaluate amyloid heart dysfunction in patients with atrial fibrillation, since this condition is also associated with increased plasma concentration of these analytes [28][29][30].…”

Electrophysiological Properties of the Atrium After Cardioversion of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation Relation to the Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide Level

“…24,25) In fact, BNP levels have previously been shown to increase in the presence of AF despite the absence of heart failure. [5][6][7][8] Lee, et al 7) concluded that BNP levels were found to be significantly correlated with the left atrial volume index and tissue Doppler-derived E/E' (as an indicator of diastolic function) in patients with lone AF after adjusting for clinical and echocardiographic variables. McCullough, et al 8) showed that elevated BNP levels in patients with AF reflect chronic changes in ventricular filling dynamics and wall tension, which are independent of ejection fraction.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] However, a recent study demonstrated that BNP levels were significantly elevated in outpatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) (median value, 131 pg/ mL) as compared to outpatients without AF (median value, 49 pg/mL; P < 0.001) despite a similar left ventricular ejection fraction (60% versus 60%, P = 0.85). [5][6][7][8] Although the pathophysiology of elevated BNP levels in AF patients has not been fully proven, this may be associated with a functional latent ventricular dysfunction such as an unfavorable hemodynamic profile or altered left ventricular filling pattern resulting from an atrial structural dysfunction. 7,8) However, the electrophysiologic consequences of the elevated BNP level in AF patients are not well known.…”

“…[5][6][7][8] Although the pathophysiology of elevated BNP levels in AF patients has not been fully proven, this may be associated with a functional latent ventricular dysfunction such as an unfavorable hemodynamic profile or altered left ventricular filling pattern resulting from an atrial structural dysfunction. 7,8) However, the electrophysiologic consequences of the elevated BNP level in AF patients are not well known. Verifying this relationship may reinforce the explanation for the mechanism of the elevated BNP level in AF patients or provide further insight into the electrophysiology of the human atria in AF.…”