CORRELATION OF N-TERMINAL PRO-BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE LEVEL AND RECURRENCES OF NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, affecting 1-2% of general population. Recent studies have demonstrated that AF is associated with an increased level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and restoration of sinus rhythm leads to its significant decrease. The purpose of research is to study N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level in patients with nonvalvular AF and to estimate its correlation with AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion. Material and methods: 74 patients with nonvalvular AF were examined, of which 37 patients performed electrical cardioversion. NT-proBNP level was evaluated before restoring sinus rhythm. Results: The basic level of NT-proBNP was 227 (65; 358) pg/ml in patients without AF relapse, and 944 (652; 1339) pg/ml in patients with AF recurrence (р<0,01). During Cox's regression analysis NT-proBNP level was independent predictor of AF relapses (HR 1,1;95% Cl 1,04-1,14). An optimized cut-off value of NT-proBNP was determined by the ROC analysis and it was 469,5 pg/ml. Conclusion: The basic level value of NT-proBNP>469,5 pg/ml predicts the risk of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion sensitivity of 88,9% and specificity of 89,5%.