Whitman IR, et al. - Researchers investigated the extent to which the relationships between race and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (CHF) are mediated by baseline N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. For this purpose, they analyzed data from the CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study) and compared beta estimates between models with and without NT-proBNP. Reproducibility was evaluated by using the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study. Incident AF events numbered 1,277 among 4,731 CHS (770 black) and 1,253 among 12,418 ARIC (3,091 black) participants. Higher baseline NT-proBNP and a greater risk of incident AF was observed in whites vs blacks. Baseline NT-proBNP levels explained a considerable portion of the link between race and AF statistically. Findings revealed no consistent link between race and CHF.