Objective:To examine the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful electrical cardioversion (EC) by a meta analysis approach.Methods: Based on PubMed,Medline and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases,related literatures,published from 1980-2008,were searched; a manual search was also performed.The included trials were analyzed by RevMan4.2 software for meta analysis.Results: Totally seven studies were finally included.The analysis revealed that the baseline BNP level were greater in patients with AF recurrence than those without AF recurrence,with the standardized mean difference in the BNP levels being 0.82 units (95% confidence interval 0.12 to 1.52).The test for overall effect Z-score was 2.30,with a P value of 0.02; there was significant difference.Conclusion: It is suggested that the higher BNP level after successful electrical cardioversion is associated with greater risk of AF recurrence.The level of BNP may serve as an indicator for AF recurrence after successful EC.