Open AccessHigh B‐type natriuretic peptide levels predict a hypercoagulable state in otherwise low‐risk patients with atrial fibrillation
Author(s) -
Sadanaga Tsuneaki,
Mitamura Hideo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of arrhythmia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1883-2148
pISSN - 1880-4276
DOI - 10.1016/j.joa.2012.12.002
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , natriuretic peptide , d dimer , cardiology , anticoagulant therapy , heart failure
The D‐dimer and B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in relation to CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 –VASc scores in 59 patients with atrial fibrillation who were not receiving anticoagulant therapy were analyzed. Among 19 patients with CHADS 2 scores of 0–1, 3 of the 7 patients with elevated BNP levels also had elevated D‐dimer levels. Among 8 patients with CHA 2 DS 2 –VASc scores of 1, 2 of the 3 patients with elevated BNP levels also had elevated D‐dimer levels. Therefore, D‐dimer levels can be elevated in low‐risk patients when BNP levels are high, and anticoagulation therapy should be considered for these patients.