title: N-terminal proANF in acute atrial fibrillation: a biochemical marker of atrial pressures but not a predictor for conversion to sinus rhythm. Digitalis in Acute Atrial Fibrillation (DAAF) Trial group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial filling pressures are increased in acute atrial fibrillation, which stimulates the release of atrial natriuretic factor pro-hormone, proANF.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized trial comparing digoxin with placebo in 216 patients, we investigated whether the baseline plasma level of N-terminal proANF is a predictor for conversion to sinus rhythm and the relation among N-terminal proANF, conversion to sinus rhythm, and changes in heart rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  N-terminal proANF was increased at baseline and decreased significantly in patients converting to sinus rhythm, whereas it was mainly unchanged in nonconverters. N-terminal proANF was not a predictor of conversion to sinus rhythm. A relation was found between relative changes in heart rate and N-terminal proANF in nonconverters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of N-terminal proANF does not predict conversion to sinus rhythm, which indicates that hemodynamics per se is not important. There is a correlation between relative changes in heart rate and N-terminal proANF in nonconverters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine of Ostra University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hornestam
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Held
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Karlson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundström
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016275:Atrial Function; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009318:Natriuresis; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011498:Protein Precursors; D004077:Digoxin; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor