Katharina Schmalstieg-Bahr, David J Gladstone, Eva Hummers, Johanna Suerbaum, Jeff S Healey, Antonia Zapf, Denise Köster, Stefanie M Werhahn, Rolf Wachter
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common treatable risk factor for stroke. Screening for paroxysmal AF in general practice is difficult, but biomarkers might help improve screening strategies.
Objectives: We investigated six blood biomarkers for predicting paroxysmal AF in general practice.
Methods: This was a pre-specified sub-study of the SCREEN-AF RCT done in Germany. Between 12/2017-03/2019, we enrolled ambulatory individuals aged 75 years or older with a history of hypertension but without known AF. Participants in the intervention group received active AF screening with a wearable patch, continuous ECG monitoring for 2x2 weeks and usual care in the control group. The primary endpoint was ECG-confirmed AF within six months after randomisation. High-sensitive Troponin I (hsTnI), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), N-terminal pro atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-ANP), mid-regional pro atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-pro ANP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma levels were investigated at randomisation for predicting AF within six months after randomisation.
Results: Blood samples were available for 291 of 301 (96.7%) participants, including 8 with AF (3%). Five biomarkers showed higher median results in AF-patients: BNP 78 vs. 41 ng/L (p = 0.012), NT-pro BNP 273 vs. 186 ng/L (p = 0.029), NT-proANP 4.4 vs. 3.5 nmol/L (p = 0.027), MR-pro ANP 164 vs. 125 pmol/L (p = 0.016) and hsTnI 7.4 vs. 3.9 ng/L (p = 0.012). CRP levels were not different between groups (2.8 vs 1.9 mg/L, p = 0.1706).
Conclusion: Natriuretic peptide levels and hsTnI are higher in patients with AF than without and may help select patients for AF screening, but larger trials are needed.
期刊介绍:
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foster scientific research in primary care medicine (family medicine, general practice) in Europe
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Areas covered include primary care epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, non-drug interventions, multi- and comorbidity, palliative care, shared decision making, inter-professional collaboration, quality and safety, training and teaching, and quantitative and qualitative research methods.