title: Effect of atrial fibrillation on plasma NT-proBNP in chronic heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain natriuretic peptides are elevated in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) as well as in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and are strong predictors of death in HF patients. The aim of our study was to examine the levels of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with HF and AF versus HF and sinus rhythm (SR) and if NT-proBNP has prognostic influence in patients with AF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 245 patients (72% men, 70 years) with HF referred to a HF clinic. NT-proBNP was measured at referral (baseline).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, 26% had AF and at follow-up 35% of the surviving patients. Patients with AF were older than patients with SR (p=0.009), but LVEF and NYHA distribution were similar. Median NT-proBNP levels were higher: 2528 vs. 899 pg/ml (p<0.001). NT-proBNP was significantly correlated with AF at baseline (p<0.001), age (p=0.001), P-creatinine (p<0.001) and reduced LVEF (p=0.002). NT-proBNP was an independent predictor of death in patients with AF, adjusted HR 4.0 (95% CI 1.6-10.2) (p=0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NT-proBNP levels are higher in HF patients with AF than in HF patients with SR and has prognostic value despite the presence of AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Endocrinology E, Frederiksberg University Hospital, Ndr. Fasanvej 57, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark. pernillecorell@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Pernille
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corell
authors.forename: Finn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kistorp
authors.forename: Lene Helleskov
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schou
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hildebrandt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain