Brain natriuretic peptide predicts chronic atrial fibrillation after ventricular pacing in patients with sick sinus syndrome

Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the main complications of sick sinus syndrome (SSS). As previously reported, plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), reflects hemodynamic changes in different pacing modes, as does plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), so the present study investigated whether plasma BNP or ANP can predict chronic AF after single-chamber ventricular (VVI) pacemaker implantation in patients with SSS. Plasma ANP and BNP levels were measured before and 1-3 months after implantation in 99 SSS patients. Long-term follow-up was conducted with chronic AF as an endpoint. Chronic AF occurred in 19 patients during a mean follow-up of 5.1 years. Plasma ANP and BNP were significantly higher in the patients who developed chronic AF after implantation than in those who did not, despite similar ANP and BNP levels between the 2 groups before implantation. Post-implant high BNP and a history of paroxysmal AF were independent predictors of chronic AF by a multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis. Plasma BNP can predict the development of chronic AF after VVI pacemaker implantation in patients with SSS because increased levels may reflect latent hemodynamic abnormalities, which may contribute to the development of AF after VVI pacemaker implantation.