Predictive factors for the onset of atrial fibrillation in patients with essential hypertension

Objective:To determine the predictive factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with essential hypertension(EH).Methods:Eighty-four EH patients were retrospectively analyzed.The analysis was based on the noninvasive ambulatory 24 h measurement of blood pressure (ABPM),echocardiography and serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).Results:On the ABPM,the patients with AF showed significantly higher 24h,diurnal and nocturnal mean systolic blood pressures (161.1±7.8)vs.(157.8±7.1)mmHg,P0.05;(170.8±10.1)vs.(161.3±6.7)mmHg,P0.01;(147.8±9.3)vs.(131.3±10.4)mmHg,P 0.01),compared with the patients without AF.The left ventricular mass index (LVMI),left atrial dimension (LAD) and BNP were significantly higher in the patients with AF than the patients without AF(159.05±12.13)vs.(137.12±10.66),P0.01;(51.3±6.5)vs.(38.2±1.5)mm,P0.01;(117±36.11)vs.(65±17.35)pg/ml,P0.01).The multivariate Logistic analysis showed that nocturnal systolic blood pressure,LAD and BNP were independent predictors for the onset of AF (OR,95% CI and P for nocturnal systolic blood pressure,LAD and BNP respectively:1.26,0.803~3.308,0.033; 2.63,0.973~3.105,0.003; 1.39、0.611~3.034,0.036).Conclusion:In hypertension patients,nocturnal systolic blood pressure,LAD and BNP were independent predictors for the onset of Atrial fibrillation.