Background: BNP is elevated in congestive heart failure and other cardiac conditions. BNP is also reported to be elevated in AF. However, the relationship between BNP and diastolic function is not clear in such patients. In nonvalvular AF with preserved systolic function, we studied the correlation of BNP and echocardiographic parameters which were predictive of diastolic function and a future cardiovascular event.
Method: The study group was consisted of 35 (61±10 years old, men:20) patients with chronic nonvalvular AF with preserved systolic function (LVEF≥50%). In echocardiography, the systolic and diastolic parameters and LA volume were checked. BNP was sampled at the same time. We investigated the correlation between BNP and the echocardiographic parameters.
Results: Patients had AF for 34±47 months, and 21 (61%) of them were symptomatic. BNP level was 124±81 pg/ml. In echocardiography, LVEF was 59±6%, E was 90±21cm/s, E’ was 10.2±2.7cm/s, E/E’ was 9.1±2.2 and LAVI was 35.4±10.4ml/m2. BNP was revealed to be correlated with E/E’ (r=0.517, p=0.048) and LAVI (r=0.574, p=0.025).
Conclusion: Elevated BNP was associated with diastolic dysfunction in nonvalvular AF. Patients with this condition may have important implications for prognosis and therapy even if their systolic function is preserved.
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