Werhahn SM, Becker C, Mende M, et al. - The diagnostic and predictive accuracy of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) was compared in stable outpatients with cardiovascular risk factors.

• The DIAST-CHF trial, a prospective cohort study that recruited individuals with cardiovascular risk factors and followed them up for 12 years, was used to obtain data for this study.

• Researchers performed validation of data in three independent population-based cohorts using the same inclusion/exclusion criteria: LIFE-Adult (n = 2,869), SHIP (n = 2,013), and SHIP-TREND (n = 2,408).

• There were 1,727 study participants (47.7% female, mean age 66.9 ± 8.1 years) in the DIAST-CHF study.

• Serum levels of NT-proBNP were determined once at baseline.

• In the DIAST-CHF trial, both HF and AF were associated with increased levels of NT-proBNP, the level was higher in patients with AF than in patients with HF; it appeared a superior biomarker for the diagnosis and prediction of AF vs HF.

• In the three independent cohorts (LIFE-Adult Study, SHIP-0, and SHIP-TREND), confirmation of the findings was done.

• Among patients with AF, those with HFpEF did not differ from those without HF with respect to the levels of NT-proBNP.