Association Between Brain Natriuretic Peptide Level and Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

What was studied

This review looked at the link between BNP blood levels and atrial fibrillation. The team searched several databases and gray literature. They pooled 11 studies with 1,418 cases and 3,343 controls. They also checked for bias and for differences between studies.

What they found

Higher BNP levels were strongly linked to atrial fibrillation. The pooled difference was 1.08. No publication bias was found. Some sub-group differences appeared by region or by risk of bias. These did not fully explain the differences between studies.

What it means for patients

The authors say high BNP levels are strongly linked to existing atrial fibrillation. They say high levels were a modest predictor of new cases. This was in studies that measured BNP before onset. They suggest a role in spotting atrial myopathy.

Why it is not certain yet

The studies differed in ways the sub-group checks could not fully explain. The link is an association, not proof of cause. The authors call for better studies with more detail.

Source

Association Between Brain Natriuretic Peptide Level and Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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