title: Usefulness of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting recurrence of atrial fibrillation one year after external cardioversion.
abstract: After successful external cardioversion, the rate of recurrence of atrial fibrillation remains high. The hypothesis that plasma B-type natriuretic peptide could predict the recurrence of atrial fibrillation at 1 year was tested. Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide was measured in 66 consecutive asymptomatic patients who underwent external cardioversion for atrial fibrillation. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were obtained at 1 year. Sinus rhythm was maintained in 55% of patients. The independent predictors of the recurrence of atrial fibrillation at 1 year were a history of atrial fibrillation, plasma B-type natriuretic peptide, and the energy delivered for conversion. In patients without symptoms of heart failure, plasma B-type natriuretic peptide is an independent predictor of the recurrence of atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Fédération de Cardiologie, Hôpital de Jour, Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lellouche
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berthier
authors.forename: Armand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mekontso-Dessap
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Braconnier
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Monin
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Duval
authors.forename: Jean Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dubois-Randé
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guéret
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garot
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain