B-type Natriuretic Peptide In Patients Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of riociguat in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension: A meta-analysis.

Background:Riociguat is a novel soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, and has been widely used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Some studies found that riociguat had better effects on CTEPH and proved to be safe, but the results were not utterly consistent. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of riociguat in the treatment of CTEPH.Methods:Randomized controlled trials on riociguat for the treatment of CTEPH were searched through such electronic databases as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China national knowledge internet, and Wanfang. The outcomes included exercise capacity, pulmonary hemodynamics, and side effects. The fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to analyze the pooled data, and heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 test.Results:Four studies involving 520 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the placebo group, riociguat significantly improved the hemodynamic indexes and increased 6-min walking distance (P < .0001, standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.24, 95%CI −0.35 to −0.12; P < .00001, SMD = 0.52, 95%CI 0.33 to 0.71), and decreased the Borg dyspnea score (P = .002, SMD = −0.31, 95%CI −0.51 to −0.12). In addition, riociguat could also significantly reduce the living with pulmonary hypertension scores and increase the EQ-5D scores (P = .01, SMD=−0.23, 95%CI −0.42 to −0.05; P < .00001, SMD = 0.47, 95%CI 0.27 to 0.66), but there was no significant difference in the change level of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with riociguat (P = .20, SMD = −0.24, 95%CI −0.61 to −0.13). The common adverse events of riociguat were dyspepsia and peripheral edema, and no other serious adverse reactions were observed.Conclusions:We confirmed that riociguat had better therapeutic effects in improving the hemodynamic parameters and exercise capacity in patients with CTEPH without inducing serious adverse events. This will provide a reasonable medication regimen for the treatment of CTEPH.

Cardiac Troponin I Predicts Elevated B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients Treated with Anthracycline-Containing Chemotherapy

Background: Anthracycline is used to treat various types of cancer; however, cardiotoxicity negatively affects patient prognosis. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate serial changes in levels of cardiac troponin I (TnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients treated with anthracycline-containing therapy. Methods: 91 consecutive cancer patients planned for anthracycline treatment were enrolled and followed up for 12 months. All patients underwent echocardiography and blood sampling at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The patients were divided into two groups based on their TnI level during the follow-up period: the elevated TnI group (TnI ≥0.03 ng/mL; n = 37) and the normal TnI group (n = 54). In the elevated TnI group, the TnI levels increased at 3 and 6 months, but they returned to within normal range at 12 months after anthracycline administration. Unlike TnI, the BNP levels began to increase after 6 months, and remained increased at 12 months. The occurrence of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction was higher in the elevated TnI group than in the normal TnI group. When we set the cut-off value of TnI at 0.029 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity to predict an elevated BNP level of more than 100 pg/mL were 90 and 63%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated TnI was an independent predictor of elevated BNP levels. Conclusion: Elevated TnI was an independent predictor for the development of BNP increase. The different characteristics of TnI and BNP should be considered when managing patients treated with anthracycline-containing therapy.

High Serum Uric Acid is Highly Associated with a Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Rather than Increased Plasma B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

High serum uric acid (UA) has been reported to be associated with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction; however, the relationship between UA and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a sensitive biomarker of heart failure, is still unclear. This study investigated their relationship to provide an accurate assessment of high UA. The study patients consisted of 3,077 subjects who underwent cardiac catheterization because of various cardiovascular disorders. Since the explanatory factors of multiple regression analysis were mostly confounding with each other, subgroup analysis was performed by quartering the study population using the respective risk factors and by covariance structure analysis. This analysis revealed that UA was almost always well associated with a reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF), but generally not with BNP. UA was significantly associated with BNP in lean aged females, but not in obese adolescent males, although LVEF was significantly reduced in response to a high UA in both groups. A high UA is a direct risk factor for cardiac dysfunction from the perspective of BNP; however, augmentation of BNP in response to a high UA would likely be restricted among obese adolescent males. On the other hand, the observed LV systolic dysfunction, such as LVEF, reflects a high UA on an almost constant basis.

P883Thermogenic action of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with cardiovascular diseases according to covariance structure analysis

P883Thermogenic action of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with cardiovascular diseases according to covariance structure analysis

The prognostic significance of frailty compared to peak oxygen consumption and B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with advanced heart failure.

Frailty assessment has become an integral part of the evaluation of potential candidates for heart transplantation and ventricular assist device (HTx/VAD). The impact of frailty, as a heart failure risk factor or to identify those who will derive the greatest benefit with HTx/VAD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the independent prognostic relevance of frailty assessment from peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2 ) or B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) on mortality in patients referred for advanced heart failure therapies. Frailty was measured using modified Fried frailty criteria. In 201 consecutive patients, during a median follow-up of 17.5months (IQR 11-29.2), there were 25 (12.4%) deaths. One-year survival was 100%, 94%, and 78% in nonfrail, prefrail, and frail patients, respectively (log rank P=.0001). Frailty was associated with a twofold increase risk of death (HR 2.01, P<.0001, 95% CI 1.42-2.84). When adjusted for BNP or peak VO2 , frailty was not associated with a significant risk of all-cause death. However, when peak VO2 is stratified into two categories (≥12mL/kg/min vs <12mL/kg/min), frailty was associated with increased mortality in patients with a lower peak VO2 (HR 1.72, P=.006).

Diagnostic Value of Combined Detection of Galectin-3 and N-Terminal B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Background: Acute heart failure timely and effective diagnosis and treatment directly affects the prognosis of patients, so early diagnosis of acute heart failure treatment is very important. The current diagnosis of acute heart failure has yet to be further improved. To investigate the relationship between plasma levels of Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP in cardiac structure and function in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) Early detection of failure. Methods: The clinical data of 86 patients with acute heart failure in our hospital were analyzed and followed up. Twenty-six healthy subjects with normal cardiac function were used as control group. The plasma Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP levels were compared between the two groups to observe the value of plasma Galectin-3 combined with NT-proBNP in the diagnosis of acute heart failure. Results: There was no significant difference in the level of Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP between heart function group II and control group, and the levels of cardiac function III and IVG plasma Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in patients with heart failure Compared with the healthy control group, the patients’ LVEF decreased and their cardiac function increased. The levels of plasma Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP increased significantly (P 0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that plasma levels of Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP were independent of cardiac function. The area under the ROC curve for the combined detection of plasma Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP was greater than the area under the two alone tests. Conclusion: The combined detection of Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of acute heart failure and can be used as a new detection mode.

The effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on Troponin-T and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionUntreated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs Trop-T) and B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) are sensitive biomarkers for myocardial injury and heart failure respectively. No randomised controlled trials have examined the treatment effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with OSA on these biomarkers. MethodPatients >21 years old with apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥25/h by overnight polysomnography were recruited. Main exclusion criteria were previous CPAP use and any significant comorbidities including CAD and heart failure. Eligible subjects were randomised to receive CPAP or sham CPAP for eight weeks each in a crossover design with a wash out period of one month between the treatments. Blood samples were collected at 8pm, 3am, and 8am during sleep studies conducted at the end of each eight-week treatment period. ResultsOf the 37 patients who were randomised, 28 patients had stored frozen samples available for analysis. In comparison to sham treatment, CPAP significantly lowered the NT-pro-BNP level by 0.91 pmol/L (p = 0.0002). The reduction of 0.235 ng/L in hs Trop-T on CPAP therapy was not statistically significant (p = 0.052). There were no overnight changes, across the three time points, in either biomarker with either treatment. ConclusionOur study confirms CPAP therapy in patients with moderate-severe OSA reduces NT-pro-BNP, but we did not confirm a significant effect on hs Trop-T. Future larger studies of longer duration incorporating biomarkers and cardiac functional measures are needed to better establish the benefit of OSA treatment.

Abstract 9905: Myeloid Cell Derived Leucine Rich α2 Glycoprotein Attenuates Adverse Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction

Background: Leucine rich α2 glycoprotein (LRG), a member of the leucine-rich repeat family, was isolated from human plasma. Recently, LRG has been identified as a novel serum biomarker for various inflammatory diseases. It was also reported that serum LRG concentrations was strongly correlated with B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure. However, its pathophysiological roles in hearts after myocardial infarction (MI) remain to be elucidated. Objective: To determine the functional roles of LRG in cardiac remodeling after MI. Methods and Results: Murine MI was generated by ligating the left coronary artery. The expression of LRG was increased in hearts after MI. Immunofluorescence microscopic and flow cytometric analyses revealed that LRG was mainly produced by CD11b-positive myeloid cells in post-infarct myocardium. To elucidate pathophysiological roles of LRG in heart, we generated MI in wild-type (WT) and LRG-knockout (KO) mice. At day 14 after MI, cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction were aggravated in KO mice compared to WT mice (fibrotic area/ LV area: WT: 34.1 ± 7.2%, KO: 46.5 ± 12.8% n=10-16, p&lt;0.01) (fractional shortening: WT: 34.8±7.1%, KO: 24.3±7.0%, n=6-9, p&lt;0.01). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that CD31-positive vessel density decreased at border zone in KO mice compared to WT mice 14 days after MI (vessel density: WT: 2740±190/mm2, KO: 2183±293/mm2 n=10-16, p&lt;0.01). We explored the mechanism of LRG-mediated angiogenesis in post-infarct myocardium, and found that the activation of smad1/5/8, a pro-angiogenic signaling pathway, was attenuated in KO mice. Accompanied by impaired angiogenesis, cardiomyocytes apoptosis was increased in KO mice compared to WT mice at subacute phase after MI. Finally, bone marrow chimera experiments showed that bone marrow cells-derived LRG rescued adverse cardiac remodeling in KO mice, accompanied by restoration of capillary density. Conclusion: LRG was mainly produced by heart-infiltrated myeloid cells, and suppressed adverse cardiac remodeling after MI through enhanced angiogenesis. In this study, LRG was defined as a novel cardioprotective factor. Thus, LRG could be not only a serum biomarker but also a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases.

The association between daily physical activity and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with glucose intolerance: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesIn spite of accumulating evidences suggesting an inverse association between insulin resistance and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, the effect of daily physical activity on plasma BNP in individuals...

Plasma activity of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with biventricular heart failure versus those with right heart failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an established prognostic indicator in patients with left ventricular systolic heart failure (LHF). However, no efficient data exist regarding the differences in plasma BNP activity between patients with biventricular heart failure and those with right heart failure (RHF) due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigates BNP in RHF due to COPD in comparison to RHF due to LHF, and estimates the relation of BNP levels with clinical and echocardiographic parameters. We evaluated plasma BNP in 88 patients admitted to hospital with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure (31 with RHF due to LHF, 30 with RHF due to COPD without left heart disease, and 27 with LHF without right ventricular involvement). All patients underwent echocardiography examination and blood samples were collected to determine BNP and routine blood chemistry measurements. Plasma BNP levels were significantly higher in RHF due to LHF compared with RHF due to COPD (P <0.001). Plasma BNP did not appear to differ between RHF due to LHF and LHF alone (P = 0.802). In multiple linear regression analysis, tissue Doppler imaging e(LV) (B: -0.053, P = 0.002) and e(RV) (B: -0.079, P = 0.007) had an independent negative association with BNP, whereas logUrea (B: 0.635, P < 0.001) and hematocrit (B: 0.014, P = 0.005) showed an independent positive association with BNP levels in the group of RHF due to COPD. BNP levels were significantly lower in RHF due to COPD compared with RHF due to LHF and were independently predicted by indices of left ventricular and right ventricular diastolic function, renal function, and anemia.

Marked elevation of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

Marked elevations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are not generally seen in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The objective of this study was to examine the clinical and laboratory characteristics of a large cohort of patients with HFpEF and markedly elevated BNP. A retrospective examination of 421 inpatients at a university hospital admitted with a diagnosis of HFpEF was performed. Clinical and echocardiographic data in 4 groups of patients with levels of BNP ≤ 100 pg/mL, 100–400 pg/mL, 400–1,000 pg/mL and > 1,000 pg/mL were compared. Patients with HFpEF and BNP > 1,000 pg/mL (28% of the population) were characterized by impaired renal function and greater use of anti-hypertensive medications. A subset of these patients with BNP > 1,000 pg/mL had normal renal function (21%) and were significantly older, more frequently female, and tended to have lower ejection fractions. Conversely, patients with HFpEF and BNP ≤ 100 pg/mL were younger and had preserved renal function. BNP was inversely related to the likelihood of subsequent admission for heart failure, but not to myocardial infarction or death. In conclusion: BNP > 1,000 pg/mL is seen in almost 1/3 of patients hospitalized with HFpEF. This elevation of BNP often reflects impaired renal function, but can also be seen in patients with preserved renal function but relatively impaired systolic function.

Evaluation of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with community acquired pneumonia

BackgroundCommunity acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a widespread disease, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) shown to be elevated in patients with congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction and massive pulmonary embolism, BNP levels have been found to be significantly elevated in CAP with a positive correlation to CRP and also low levels of BNP predict treatment success. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of cardiac stress marker B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with CAP without sepsis or shock. Patients and methods26 patients with CAP were eligible for study in addition to 10 healthy control cases, cardiac stress marker BNP and inflammation marker (CRP, white blood cell count, ESR) were measured in patients with CAP. ResultsThe mean serum level of initial BNP level was significantly higher (86.75±25.91pg/ml) in patients with CAP than the control group (30.70±6.77pg/ml) with p-value <0.001 and also significantly lower after treatment (40.15±9.60) with p-value <0.001, BNP significantly positively correlated with (CRP) in patients before treatment (r=0.709, p<0.001) and also positively correlated with CRP after treatment (r=0.490, p=0.011), there was significant negative correlation between initial BNP level and partial arterial oxygen pressure (r=−0.409, p=0.038). The optimal cut-off for BNP was 47.0pg/ml at admission vs 39.5pg/ml after treatment. ConclusionIn this study BNP levels show a transient rise in patients with community acquired pneumonia and correlate well with CRP, low levels of BNP adequately identify patients with an uncomplicated disease course.

Aortic Augmentation Index is Independently Associated With N-Terminal Pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease

To investigate the relationship of aortic augmentation index (AIx) with N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) plasma levels in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with normal left ventricular (LV) function. Totally, 31 patients (23 males, mean age 65 ± 7.4) with a confirmed diagnosis of PAD of the lower limbs (ankle-brachial pressure index [ABPI] <0.90 in at least 1 leg) were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent pulse wave analysis by applanation tonometry of the radial artery using the SphygmoCor system and had a measurement of plasma NTproBNP levels. Patients had a mean resting ABPI of 0.62 ± 0.19 and a mean AIx 32.6% ± 6.9. Median (interquartile range) NTproBNP plasma level was 75 (44-210) pg/mL. In a univariate analysis which included age, brachial systolic blood pressure (BSBP), brachial diastolic blood pressure (BDBP), ejection duration index (ED%), heart rate (HR), and NTproBNP, aortic AIx was significantly associated (Spearman rho) with NTproBNP, HR, and ED% (r = .49, P = .006; r = -.72, P = .000, and r = -.42, P = .02, respectively). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that AIx was associated with NTproBNP (β = 0.38, P = .02) independent of gender, HR, ED%, and use of β-blockers. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide explained 8% of the variance in aortic AIx, whereas HR explained 15% of the variance. In patients with PAD with normal LV systolic function, AIx is independently associated with NTproBNP. Structural changes in the myocardium might occur due to increased LV afterload as a result of increased wave reflections and arterial stiffness due to atherosclerosis leading to an increase in NTproBNP plasma levels.

Prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation undergoing surgery: mid-term follow-up results

The prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for surgical outcome in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of BNP in patients with chronic severe MR, undergoing mitral valve surgery. In total, 117 patients with chronic severe MR undergoing surgery were evaluated from the MR registry of Seoul National University Hospital. Patients were excluded if they had acute MR or acutely decompensated heart failure, and significant renal, pulmonary, coronary or other significant valvular heart disease. The plasma BNP level assay and echocardiographic studies were done before surgery. Study endpoint was a composite of cardiac death and cardiac hospitalization during follow-up. The median duration of the follow-up was 4.5 years, and the study endpoint was reached in 11 (9.4%) patients. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis yielded an optimal cut-off point of 125 pg/ml for BNP that distinguished patients with poor prognosis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with the log-rank test and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that patients with BNP ≥125 pg/ml had a worse clinical outcome after surgery (log rank 7.606, P = 0.006; adjusted hazard ratio = 5.536 [95% confidence interval 1.189-25.788], P = 0.029). Among patients with chronic severe MR undergoing mitral valve surgery, BNP independently predicts the poor clinical outcome. The BNP measurement should be considered in the risk stratification of these patients.

Clinical significance of elevated B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with acute lung injury with or without right ventricular dilatation: an observational cohort study

BackgroundThe primary objective of this study was to examine levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury and to test whether the level of BNP would be higher in patients with right ventricular dilatation and would predict mortality.MethodsThis was a prospective, observational cohort study of 42 patients conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care university hospital. BNP was measured and transthoracic echocardiography was performed within 48 hours of the onset of acute lung injury. The left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, right ventricular systolic function, and cardiac output were assessed. BNP was compared in patients with and without right ventricular dilatation, as well as in survivors versus nonsurvivors.ResultsBNP was elevated in mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury (median 420 pg/ml; 25-75% interquartile range 156-728 pg/ml). There was no difference between patients with and without right ventricular dilatation (420 pg/ml, 119-858 pg/ml vs. 387 pg/ml, 156-725 pg/ml; p = 0.96). There was no difference in BNP levels between the patients who died and those who survived at 30 days (420 pg/ml, 120-728 pg/ml vs. 385 pg/ml, 159-1070 pg/ml; p = 0.71).ConclusionsIn patients with acute lung injury the level of BNP is increased, but there is no difference in the BNP level between patients with and without right ventricular dilatation. Furthermore, BNP level is not predictive of mortality in this population.

Clinical applicability of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with suspected heart failure in primary care in Spain: the PANAMA study

Aim: To assess the predictive value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in a primary-care setting in Spain. Methods: PANAMA was a multicenter and cross-sectional study. Patients ≥18 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of HF (Framingham criteria) were consecutively included in the study by primary-care investigators. BNP determination and an echocardiogram were performed in every patient. The cut-off point of BNP for the criterion of exclusion of HF was considered as <100 pg/ml, as suggested by European guidelines. Sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value and negative-predictive value were calculated. Results: A total of 72 patients (mean age: 75.1 ± 8.7 years; 74.6% women) were included. The most frequent associated risk factors were hypertension (75.6%) and dyslipidemia (54.3%). The most common major and minor criteria of HF according to Framingham criteria were radiographic cardiomegaly (90.2%) and dyspnea on ordinary exertion (100%), respectively. BNP median was 49 pg/ml (33.3 pg/ml in those with a doubtful diagnosis of HF and 83.3 pg/ml in those with a likely diagnosis of HF). Approximately 60% of patients exhibited diastolic dysfunction. Concerning accuracy parameters comparing BNP >100 pg/ml with echocardiogram, sensitivity was 25%, the specificity 80.8%, and the positive- and negative-predictive values were 68.8 and 38.9%, respectively. Conclusion: In patients attended by general practitioners, BNP >100 pg/ml may be a useful diagnostic tool with a high specificity for the diagnosis of HF.

Acute and chronic effects of exercise on inflammatory markers and B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with coronary artery disease

Few studies have prospectively addressed the effects of exercise in the inflammatory activity of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to evaluate the consequences of an acute bout of exercise on inflammatory markers and BNP in untrained CAD patients before and after randomization to a training program. 34 CAD patients underwent a 50-min acute exercise session on a cycle-ergometer at 65% peak oxygen uptake before and after blood sampling. They were then randomized to a 4-month chronic exercise program (15 patients) or general lifestyle recommendations (19 patients), undergoing a new acute session of exercise after that. In the overall population, acute exercise caused a significant increase in C-reactive protein [CRP; 1.79 (4.49) vs. 1.94 (4.89) mg/L, P<0.001], monokine induced by interferon-γ [Mig; 351 (324) vs. 373 (330) pg/mL, P=0.027] and vascular adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1; 226 (82) vs. 252 (110) pg/mL, P=0.02]. After 4-months, in exercise-trained patients, there was a significant decrease in the inflammatory response provoked by the acute exercise compared to patients in the control group reflected by a significant decrease in the differences between rest and post-exercise levels of CRP [-0.29 (0.84) mg/L vs. -0.11 (0.21) mg/L, P=0.05]. Resting BNP was also significantly lower in exercise-trained patients when compared to untrained controls [15.6 (16.2) vs. 9.7 (11.4) pg/mL, P=0.04 and 19.2 (27.8) vs. 23.2 (27.5) pg/mL, P=0.76; respectively]. Chronic exercise training might partially reverse the inflammatory response caused by acute exercise in CAD patients. These results suggest that regular exercise is an important nonpharmacological strategy to the improvement in inflammation in CAD patients.

Determinants of markedly increased B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background A modestly increased plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level of greater than 80 pg/mL has been associated with increased mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the prognostic significance of larger increases in BNP during STEMI has not been reported. Methods A total of 420 patients with STEMI were identified from an administrative database, and 91 were found to have a BNP level measured within 24 hours of hospitalization. All patients underwent detailed angiographic and echocardiographic evaluation. Charts were abstracted in a blinded fashion to the BNP results. Results The mean ± SD age of the participants was 64 ± 13 years, and 53 (58%) of the participants were men. The median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile of the BNP value were 366, 142, and 1011 pg/mL, respectively. The BNP level increased progressively in 1-, 2-, and 3-vessel coronary disease with medians of 253, 351, and 818 pg/mL, respectively ( P = .009). Patients with grade 3/4 diastolic dysfunction had significantly increased median BNP values vs all others, 786 vs 306 pg/mL ( P = .03). Eight (9%) patients died during their hospitalization. The median BNP values for 83 (91%) survivors and 8 (9%) nonsurvivors were 344 and 1420 pg/mL, respectively ( P = .007). By multiple logistic regression, BNP level more than 500 pg/mL was independently associated with female sex, increased number of vessels diseased (>75% stenosis), lower ejection fraction, higher creatine kinase level, and lower body mass index. Conclusion In patients with STEMI, markedly increased BNP level seems to reflect the extent of coronary disease, the degree of associated systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and a higher risk of in-hospital mortality.

High Plasma Levels of the B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients Without Heart Failure: Is There Clinical Significance?

We report a case of a 19-year-old female with an elevated plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, but without evidence of heart failure (HF). She presented with non-specific chest pain and a high level of the B-type natriuretic peptide, despite having unremarkable findings on physical examination, laboratory analysis, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, chest X-ray, chest computed tomography, whole body scan, and coronary angiography. We attribute this finding to a genetic variation in the synthesis and cleavage of the natriuretic peptides.

The effect of alcohol septal ablation on B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

A t(8;21)(q22;q22) without blood and bone marrow invasion by immature myeloid precursor cells occurred in a patient previously treated for polycythemia vera. The presence of a molecular rearrangement confirmed that the chromosomal abnormality was identical to that observed in acute leukemia with t(8;21). This case shows that the translocation, t(8;21), may occur in myelodysplasia and suggests that it can precede the appearance of overt leukemia.