Plasma brain natriuretic peptide level after radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the change in plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in paroxysmal (PAF), persistent (Pers-AF), and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) (Perm-AF) patients.


RESULTS
In 96 lone AF patients (PAF=65, Pers-AF=17, and Perm-AF=14), BNP was measured before and 3 months after successful PVIs. At baseline, in all patients, BNP was elevated and was significantly greater in Pers-AF and Perm-AF patients than PAF patients (P<0.05). After 3 months of follow-up following multiple PVIs, AF recurred in 12 (18%) PAF, 7 (41%) Pers-AF, and 8 (57%) Perm-AF patients. In Pers-AF and Perm-AF patients, BNP at baseline did not predict AF recurrence. After the PVIs, BNP significantly decreased in PAF and Pers-AF patients (P=0.005) but not in Perm-AF patients. An elevated BNP at baseline decreased to within-normal limits in all Pers-AF and Perm-AF patients without AF recurrences. In all seven (23%) patients, whose AF type improved after the PVIs, BNP decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction in the BNP level after the PVI seemed to be a marker for a good outcome in AF post-ablation patients.
Cardiac Rhythm Management Laboratory, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0019, USA. takumi-y@fb4.so-net.ne.jp
Takumi
T
Yamada
Yoshimasa
Y
Murakami
Taro
T
Okada
Naoki
N
Yoshida
Junji
J
Toyama
Yukihiko
Y
Yoshida
Naoya
N
Tsuboi
Yasuya
Y
Inden
Makoto
M
Hirai
Toyoaki
T
Murohara
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000379:methods; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain