N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an effective cardiac biomarker which has been widely applied in the research of cadiovascular diseases. Researchers have paid more and more attention to the relationship between the protein and atrial fibrillation. In this paper, we reviewed recent research progress on their relationship in order to elucidate the role of NT-proBNP in the prediction of incidence, guiding of treatment and evaluation of prognosis in atrial fibrillation.