The role of NT-proBNP in patients discharged after COVID-19 pneumonia

Abstract

<b>The aim:</b> of study was to define the cardiac disorders in the early post-COVID-19 period. <b>Materials and methods:</b> 85 patients(pts) (40 (47,1%) men, age – 44,2 (39,3;47,1)) were observed on 48,3 (45,0; 56,2) days after the onset of COVID-19. The main group divided into 3 subgroups: 1 – 39 pts after moderate COVID-19 pneumonia, 2 – 36 pts after severe COVID-19 pneumonia, 3 – 10 pts after critical COVID-19 pneumonia. All pts before COVID-19 had no anamnestic data of previous cardiovascular disease. For all pts were performed clinical data, SpO₂, echocardiography and measured NT-proBNP in serum. <b>Results:</b> All pts had normal SpO₂ (Me&nbsp;97,5 (96,3; 98,8)%) and saved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (Me 62,3(60,2;74,3)%). Level of LVEF didn’t differ significantly between subgroups (p&gt;0,05). Nevertheless the LVEF, the level of NT-proBNP was significantly higher in patients of subgroup&nbsp;2 and subgroup&nbsp;3 (tabl.1), whereas concentration of NT-proBNP in subgroup&nbsp;1 was not differ from norm (125 pg/ml). Note:&nbsp;*-p&lt;0,01 on Mann-Witney. <b>Conclusions:</b> 1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;pts after severe and critical COVID-19 pneumonia have high risk for cardiac disorders developing in the early post-COVID-19 period; 2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the level of NT-proBNP is the independent predictor of cardiac lesion in early post-COVID-19 period, despite ejection function; 3)&nbsp;determination of NT-proBNP is an important element to customize the most appropriate therapeutic strategies&nbsp;for pts after severe and critical COVID-19 pneumonia, not just performing echocardiography.