Changes of serum ANP and BNP levels in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF)

Objective: To study the clinical significance of changes of serum ANP and BNP levels in patients with CAF. Methods: Serum ANP and BNP levels were determined with RIA in 102 patients with CAF, another 40 patients with cardiac diseases but without CAF and 30 controls. Results: Serum levels of ANP and BNP in patients with CAF were significantly higher than in patients without CAF and controls (both P<0.01). Serum levels of BNP in patients without CAF were significantly higher than those in controls (P<0.01) but levels of ANP were not much different from those in controls (P>0.05). The serum levels of ANP, BNP in patients with CAF increased gradually as the cardiac function deteriorated from Grade I to Grade IV, with differences between the levels in each consecutive grades being significant (P<0.01). As a whole, levels of ANP and BNP were mutually positively correlated (P < 0.01). In patients who died in the hospital (n=7) the levels of ANP and BNP were also significantly higher than those in the patients who improved (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: Serum ANP and BNP levels were significantly increased in patients with CAF, with the highest levels in patients with grade IV cardiac function and those who died. (authors)