The predictive role of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in assessing outcomes for atrial fibrillation patients, with or without heart failure: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and purpose: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are commonly used to predict clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). The prognostic role of BNP/NT-proBNP in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and comorbid HF is controversial. The current study aimed to understand the clinical importance of BNP/NT-proBNP measurement in predicting the outcomes of AF patients regardless of HF status. Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, EBSCOHost, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and ClinicalKey. Studies that reported all-cause mortality, stroke/systemic embolic events (SEE)/thromboembolic events (TE), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and major bleeding were included in this study. All-cause mortality was the primary outcome. Studies that reported BNP data but not NT-proBNP were also included. BNP/NT-proBNP is categorized as high and low level based on the highest and lowest groups compared in the included studies. Results: Sixteen studies (n = 45,400) were included in data synthesis: six were post hoc analysis of randomized controlled trials and the remaining were prospective cohort studies. The included studies were published between 2011 and 2022. The follow-up duration ranged from 1.0 to 5.2 years. High level of BNP/NT-proBNP was associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality (pooled hazard ratio [HR]: 2.26, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.98–2.56), stroke/SEE/TE (pooled HR: 2.45, 95% CI: 2.07–2.90), and MACE (pooled HR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.90–2.99) in patients with AF; the pooled HR of major bleeding was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.01–1.36). Sensitivity analysis in patients with AF and HF produced similar results. Conclusions: BNP and NT-proBNP are strong predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with AF regardless of HF.