Mid-regional pro atrial natriuretic peptide allows the accurate identification of patients with atrial fibrillation of short time of onset: A pilot study

ObjectivesAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia; its most prevalent and devastating complication is stroke. A delay of AF onset > 48 h is believed to be clinically significant. Mid-regional pro A-type natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) could be of interest in the identification of the time from onset of AF to presentation.Design and methodsWe measured MR-proANP plasma concentration at presentation in consecutive patients in whom onset of AF was determined, without evidence of concomitant acute heart failure.ResultsForty-seven patients were included. Patients with an AF onset < 48 h (n = 19) had decreased MR-proANP concentrations versus patients with onset > 48 h (144.0 [129.2–213.7] versus 321.7 [236.4–425.6] pmol/L, p < 0.001); MR-proANP was the only independent variable associated with AF < 48 h according to multivariate analysis. Area under the ROC curve for identify AF onset < 48 h was 0.878 [95%CI 0.778–0.978].ConclusionsMR-proANP concentration may reliably identify the time from onset of AF to presentation.

► Determination of the onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an unmet clinical need.
► We measured MR-proANP at presentation in patients with determined onset of AF.
► MR-proANP was decreased in patients with AF onset < 48 h compared to AF onset > 48 h.
► MR-proANP at presentation may reliably identify patients with onset of AF< 48 h.