Assessment of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level in screening for atrial fibrillation in primary health care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF), an important cause of thromboembolic events, is often silent and intermittent, thus presenting a diagnostic challenge. The aim of this study was to assess whether the plasma level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is related to the presence of AF and thereby might be used to facilitate screening programs for AF in primary care.

Methods

This was a cross sectional screening study. A population of 70-74-year-old individuals registered at a single primary care center in Stockholm were invited to AF screening. Intermittent ECG recording, 30 seconds twice a day using a hand-held device over 2 weeks, was offered to participants without previously known AF. Of the 324 participating persons, 34 patients had already known AF a

SUBMITTER: Ghazal F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6391046 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature