Korean Circ J.  2005 Aug;35(8):605-612. 10.4070/kcj.2005.35.8.605.

Assessment of Factors Influencing Plasma BNP Level in Patients with Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function

• Hwang SJ
• Kim BJ
• Shin HS
• Yoon JH
• Sung KC
• Kim BS
• Kang JH
• Lee MH
• Park JR

• KMID: 2093947
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2005.35.8.605

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Several studies have reported that Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) were increased in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this study was to assess the factors influencing plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic AF and preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 55 patients (25 men, 30 women; mean age 66.6+/-11.5 years) with chronic AF. At the same time, plasma BNP was measured with a Triage(r) kit (Biosite, San Diego, California).
RESULTS
Women, long duration of AF and hypertension were more prevalent in the highest quartile group of BNP levels than in the lowest quartile group of BNP levels. Significant correlations were observed between plasma BNP levels and the following: mitral E velocity (r=0.339), mitral annular E'-velocity (r=-0.396), ratio of mitral E-velocity and mitral annular E' velocity (r=0.473), left atrium (LA) size (r=0.648), LA volume index (r=0.744), right atrium (RA) volume index (r=0.554), maximal velocity (Vmax) of mitral regurgitation (MR) (r=0.444), tricuspid regurgitation (TR) Vmax (r=0.544), MR grade (r=0.431), TR grade (r=0.427) and LV mass index (r=0.570). In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, LA volume index (beta=0.299, p=0.014), LV mass index (beta=0.404, p<0.001) and duration of AF (beta=0.488, p<0.001) independently predicted plasma BNP levels in this study subjects. The patients with increased LA volume index exhibited longer duration of AF, larger RA volume index and LV mass index, higher MR Vmax, TR Vmax, MR and TR grade and plasma BNP level.
CONCLUSION
LA volume index, LV mass index and duration of AF were independent predictors of plama BNP level in patients with chronic AF and preserved LV systolic function.

Keyword

Atrial fibrillation; Diastole; Natriuretic peptide, brain

MeSH Terms

Atrial Fibrillation*
Diastole
Echocardiography
Female
Heart Atria
Humans
Hypertension
Linear Models
Male
Mitral Valve Insufficiency
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
Plasma*
Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain