Related Experiment Videos
Atrial natriuretic peptide level after cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation
Beata Wozakowska-Kaplon1, Grzegorz Opolski
1Department of Cardiology, Regional District Hospital, Kielce, Poland. energo_kap@poctza.onet.pl
Insights
Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) have significantly higher levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Restoring sinus rhythm (SR) in AF patients normalizes these elevated ANP levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with elevated atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels.
- The increase in ANP is likely due to the hemodynamic effects of the arrhythmia.
- Understanding ANP levels in AF is crucial for cardiac endocrine studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma ANP levels in patients with chronic AF.
- To assess changes in plasma ANP concentrations after restoring sinus rhythm (SR).
Main Methods:
- Plasma ANP levels were measured in 42 chronic AF patients before and 24 hours after cardioversion.
- A control group of 11 subjects with normal SR was included for comparison.
- ANP levels were analyzed using mean+/-standard deviation values.
Main Results:
- Mean plasma ANP was significantly higher in the AF group (59.5+/-15.6 pg/ml) compared to controls (34.3+/-10.2 pg/ml).
- Successful cardioversion in 35 patients led to a significant decrease in ANP levels (59.4+/-16.6 to 31.4+/-15.0 pg/ml).
- Unsuccessful cardioversion did not result in significant changes in ANP levels.
Conclusions:
- Patients with chronic AF exhibit nearly double the ANP concentration compared to individuals in SR.
- Restoration of SR through cardioversion significantly reduces and normalizes plasma ANP levels.
Unlabelled:
Heart endocrine studies concerning patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) have become increasingly important. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is released from atrial myocytes. The increased level of ANP in patients with AF is probably caused by the hemodynamic effect of the arrhythmia. The aim of this study was to explore plasma ANP levels in patients with chronic AF and to describe plasma ANP concentration changes following sinus rhythm (SR) restoration. The study group was comprised of 42 patients, aged between 43 and 76 years with chronic AF (more than 1 month) and a relatively controlled ventricular response (85.8+/-11.3 beats/min). Plasma ANP levels were measured before and 24 h after AF cardioversion. The control group comprised of 11 subjects. All had normal SR without history of AF and were compatible in age, sex and concomitant diseases with the examined group. ANP level values were expressed as mean+/-standard deviation. The mean plasma ANP level in the AF group was significantly higher than in the control group (59.5+/-15.6 vs. 34.3+/-10.2 pg/ml, P<0,001). Electrical or pharmacological cardioversion was performed in 42 patients. SR was successfully restored in 35 patients. Plasma ANP concentrations decreased significantly from baseline values (from 59.4+/-16.6 to 31.4+/-15.0 pg/ml, P<0.001) 24 h after cardioversion in the successful group, while they remained unchanged (60.2+/-10.7 to 59.4+/-10.4 pg/ml, NS) in patients with an unsuccessful cardioversion.
Conclusion:
The mean concentration of ANP in patients with chronic AF was nearly two-times higher than in the control group with sinus rhythm. Conversion to SR was associated with a significant decrease and normalization in plasma ANP concentrations.