Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may cause electrical and structural atrial remodelling, leading to progression from paroxysmal to permanent form of arrhythmia. Predictors of such a transition have not yet been well established.
Aim: To assess the role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular (LV) diastolic impairment in prediction of progression from paroxysmal/persistent AF to permanent AF.
Methods: The study group consisted of 154 patients (84 males, mean age 65.8 +/- 10 years) with paroxysmal (51%) or persistent (49%) AF and normal LV systolic function. All patients had BNP level and echocardiographic parameters of diastolic LV dysfunction measured at baseline and after one-year follow up.
Results: After one-year follow-up, 15 (9.5%) patients developed permanent AF. These patients had significantly higher baseline and one-year BNP values than the remaining patients (96.0 v. 41 pg/mL, p < 0.005, and 151.1 v. 32.5 pg/mL, p < 0.0001, respectively). Also echocardiographic indices of LV diastolic dysfunction were abnormal in patients who developed permanent AF. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline BNP level had independent prognostic value in predicting permanent AF development (OR 1.06, CI 1.01-1.12, p < 0.0162). The area under ROC curve was 0.787.
Conclusions: Patient with normal systolic LV function and paroxysmal or persistent AF are likely to progress into permanent AF when they have increased BNP levels and echocardiographic signs of LV diastolic dysfunction.