No correlation between atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations and echocardiographic measurements of left atrial size or left ventricular size and function in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may be associated with activation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The exact trigger for the release of ANP is still being debated. Atrial volume, pressure, and wall stretch are considered to be the main determinants of ANP activation. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma ANP concentrations in patients with persistent AF and to analyze the echocardiographic determinants of ANP concentration in this group. The study population included 67 patients, 59 +/- 7 years of age, with a median AF duration of 5.5 months (range 0.1-12). The relationship between plasma ANP concentrations and echocardiographic left atrial (LA) diameter and volume, and left ventricular (LV) diameter and ejection fraction (EF) was analyzed by logistic regression analysis. The median baseline plasma ANP concentration was 63 pg/mL (range 21-126) in the study group versus 34 pg/mL (range 16-73) in a control group. The mean left antero-posterior atrial dimension, LA volume, LV enddiastolic diameter, and LVEF were 48 mm, 104 mL, 52 mm, and 54%, respectively. A significant linear positive correlation was found between plasma ANP concentration and maximal LA volume (r = 0.62, P < 0.01). A negative correlation was found between LVEF and plasma ANP concentration (r =-0.42, P = 0.01). However, by multivariate regression analysis, no echocardiographic parameter was an independent predictor of plasma ANP concentration. Plasma ANP concentrations were independent of echocardiographic measurements of LA size or LV size and function in patients with persistent AF.