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N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels predict newly detected atrial fibrillation in a population-based cohort

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Abstract

Background B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is secreted from cardiomyocytes and may reflect haemodynamic abnormalities predisposing to atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate whether N-terminal pro BNP (NT-proBNP) is associated with newly detected AF in subjects obtained from the general population.

Methods From the PREVEND programme (n=8592), we selected all subjects with an available baseline and four-year electrocardiogram and NTproBNP levels at baseline. We excluded subjects with AF at baseline and subjects with a serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dl.

Results In total, 6494 subjects were eligible for the prospective analysis (aged 49±12 years, 49.7% men). At four years, AF was detected in 41 (0.6%) subjects. Median NT-proBNP levels at baseline in subjects with newly detected AF after four years was 62.2 (22.6 to 208.5) pg/ml as compared with 35.7 (15.9 to 68.7) pg/ml in those with sinus rhythm (p=0.001). Each 1 standard deviation increment in natural log transformed NT-proBNP was associated with a 54% (5% to 126%, p=0.028) increase in risk for AF after adjustment for other risk factors predisposing to AF. NT-proBNP levels above the sex-specific 80th percentile (97 pg/ml in women and 60 pg/ml in men) were associated with a multivariate odds ratio of 2.65 (1.22 to 5.76, p=0.01) for the occurrence of AF.

Conclusion Plasma levels of NT-proBNP predict newly detected AF in subjects obtained from the general population independent of cardiovascular risk factors predisposing to AF. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:73-8.)

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    F. W. Asselbergs

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  1. F. W. Asselbergs
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  2. M. P. van den Berg
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  3. S. J. Bakker
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  4. J. E. Signorovitch
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  5. H. L. Hillege
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  6. W. H. van Gilst
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  7. D. J. van Veldhuisen
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Correspondence to F. W. Asselbergs.

Additional information

Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

F.W. Asselbergs Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands

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Asselbergs, F.W., van den Berg, M.P., Bakker, S.J. et al. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels predict newly detected atrial fibrillation in a population-based cohort. NHJL 16, 73–78 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03086122

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