Studies on the association of elevated B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level with adverse clinical outcomes have yielded conflicting results in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This… Click to show full abstract
Studies on the association of elevated B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level with adverse clinical outcomes have yielded conflicting results in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This meta‐analysis aimed to assess the prognostic value of BNP/NT‐proBNP level in AF patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases up to July 1, 2020. Studies investigating the association between BNP/NT‐proBNP level and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with AF were eligible. Outcome measures were all‐cause mortality, stroke/systemic embolism, major bleed, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Ten studies recruiting 29 543 patients with AF were included. Elevated BNP/NT‐proBNP level was independently associated with higher risk of all‐cause mortality (risk ratios [RR] 1.92; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.50–2.45), stroke/systemic embolism (risk ratio [RR] 2.53; 95% CI 2.00–3.19), and MACEs (RR 2.17; 95% CI 1.89–2.49). However, the association between elevated BNP/NT‐proBNP level and major bleed was not statistically significant (RR 1.14; 95% CI 0.92–1.40). Elevated BNP/NT‐proBNP level is significantly associated with higher risk of all‐cause mortality, stroke/systemic embolism, and MACEs. Determination of BNP/NT‐proBNP level may play an important role in risk stratification of AF patients.
               
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