Author/Editor | Jug, Borut; Šebeštjen, Miran; Šabovič, Mišo; Pohar, Maja; Keber, Irena | |
Title | Atrial fibrillation is an independent determinant of increased NT-proBNP levels in outpatients with signs and symptoms of heart failure | |
Type | članek | |
Source | Wien Klin Wochenschr | |
Vol. and No. | Letnik 121, št. 21-2 | |
Publication year | 2009 | |
Volume | str. 700-6 | |
Language | eng | |
Abstract | Background: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is increasingly used in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of heart failure; however, the possible influence of atrial fibrillation on BNP is still a matter of controversy. We assessed the influence of atrial fibrillation on NT-proBNP levels in outpatients with signs and symptoms of heart failure. Methods: Consecutive outpatients (n = 306) referred to a university hospital heart-failure clinic for evaluation of signs and symptoms of heart failure underwent clinical and echocardiographic assessment and had their NT-proBNP levels determined in a sandwich chemiluminescent immunoassay with two antibodies on an Elecsys analyzer. The influence of atrial fibrillation on NT-proBNP levels was assessed using a non-parsimonious linear regression model with propensity score adjustments to balance for possible confounders. Results: Atrial fibrillation was associated with increased NT-proBNP levels in patients with (median concentration 1944 vs. 1390 pg/ml) and without (1093 vs. 172 pg/ml) underlying structural disease (P < 0.001). In a linear regression model with a propensity score, atrial fibrillation emerged as an independent determinant of NT-proBNP levels (P = 0.023), even after allowing for possible confounders (left ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter, mitral insufficiency, age, sex, NYHA class or heart rate). Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation is an independent determinant of increased NT-proBNP levels. This association should be taken into account when NT-proBNP levels are used in the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation. | |
Descriptors | AGED ATRIAL FIBRILLATION BIOLOGICAL MARKERS COMORBIDITY INCIDENCE OUTPATIENTS PEPTIDE FRAGMENTS RISK ASSESSMENT RISK FACTORS SLOVENIA |