Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide predicts atrial fibrillation during rehabilitation after cardiac surgery

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are known to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence short-term after cardiac surgery, but no information is available on their predictive potential at a later time point. We evaluated whether BNP levels predict postcardiac surgery AF events occurring during rehabilitation program. AF impact on hospitalization length and rehabilitation program have also been evaluated. Methods and results: One hundred and forty-nine patients who underwent cardiac surgery were monitored for 'late' AF, defined as AF occurring during the rehabilitation period (20±5 days) in contrast to 'early' AF defined as AF documented in the surgical department soon after surgery. BNP was determined at rehabilitative hospital admission (10±5 days after surgery). Late AF was observed in 17% of patients. AF patients had higher BNP levels than event-free patients (459±209 vs. 401±449pg/ml, P=0.01). Lower kaliemia values (P=0.048), early AF (P