The Canadian journal of cardiology
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According to previous reports, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels increase in atrial fibrillation (AF) and decrease after successful direct current (DC) cardioversion, but there have been no reports on plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). ⋯ Lone AF raises plasma BNP levels, which is more marked if there is underlying structural heart disease present, and cardioversion reduces plasma BNP levels. Therefore, high plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic AF are likely to be caused by AF and reflect cardiac overloading associated with, although contributed to in part by, underlying heart diseases.