We conducted subgroup analyses (Supplementary Fig. 6), which showed that studies (six) including only paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients showed that levels of BNP were significantly higher in the recurrence group (OR 2.74, 95% CI: 1.63–4.60, p < 0.01, I2 = 78%, p < 0.01). Here, NPPB is linked to Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.