Preoperative NT-proBNP Levels: A Reliable Parameter to Estimate Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Coronary Artery Bypass Patients

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common complications after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study was designed to evaluate whether the levels of preoperative and postoperative N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are predictors of postoperative paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: A total of 117 patients were prospectively evaluated for new-onset AF after coronary operation. Plasma NT-proBNP values in all patients were measured at five different time points. RESULTS: AF occurred during the hospitalization period in 33 patients (28.2 %). Significantly higher NT-proBNP levels in the preoperative examination were recorded in patients who developed AF postoperatively compared with patients without postoperative AF (329.36 ± 82.93 vs. 230.67 ± 59.93 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Although we detected some higher values in the other group of patients with AF (at T1, T2, T3, T4), the difference was not statistically significant compared to the normal rhythm group. CONCLUSION: The main finding of the current study is a positive correlation between high levels of preoperative NT-proBNP and the risk of new-onset AF after CABG surgery.