Abstract

Objective: To examine whether raised plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations decrease after successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: 53 patients (mean age 53 years) with drug-refractory, paroxysmal lone AF underwent segmental ostial PVI. Blood samples were collected before and after PVI. BNP concentrations were determined by immunoassays.

Results: Median plasma BNP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with lone AF than in controls (patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, n  =  21) (64.6 (71.9) v 13.9 (7.8) pg/ml, p < 0.01). AF recurred in 21 patients after the initial PVI procedure (recurrent AF group), and the others were free from AF without antiarrhythmic drugs (non-recurrent AF group). BNP concentrations were significantly decreased by PVI in the non-recurrent AF group (38.9 (39.1) to 18.3 (16.1) pg/ml, p < 0.01) but not in the recurrent AF group.

Conclusions: Raised plasma BNP concentrations decreased after successful segmental ostial PVI in patients with AF.