Brain Natriuretic Peptide Measurement Research Articles

Predictive factors of macroangiopathy in type 2 diabetic patients

Cardiovascular complications are the most prevalent cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to determine the risk factors related to macroangiopathy among type 2 diabetic patients. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 71 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus between March 1 and September 30, 2017. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of macroangiopathy. The examination included full medical histories, physical examination and laboratory tests in particular brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements. Thirty-eight patients had at least one macrovascular complication. The univariate analysis evidenced a significant association between macro-angiopathy and male gender ( P = 0.029), HbA 1c > 9.5% ( P = 0.008), the cumulative number of cardiovascular risk factors > 5 ( P < 10 −3 ), hypertension, presence of micro-angiopathy ( P < 10 −3 ) and BNP plasmatic level > 24 pg/mL ( P = 0.007). Multivariate regression analysis showed that cumulative cardiovascular risk factors > 5 (OR = 13.9 [95% CI: 1.4–137.6], P = 0.024), presence of microangiopathy (OR = 22 [95% CI: 2.2–215.4], P = 0.008) and HbA 1c > 9.5% (OR = 36.6 [95% CI: 2.6–505]; P = 0.007) were predictor factors of macroangiopathy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cardiovascular diseases in our population were the consequence of the additive effects of traditional risk factors with the participation of chronic hyperglycemia.

The role of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in evaluating Left Ventricle function among patient with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis: the impact of body mass index

Both chronic renal failure (CRF) and heart failure (HF) can predispose to pressure load or volume overload with subsequent elevation of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. This study tends to evaluate the role of BNP as a predictor of left ventricular function among patient with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis. Methods: This is a perspective cross-sectional study, including 89 (45 males and 44 females) patients on maintenance hemodialysis followed up for six months. BNP level, glomerular filtration and body mass index of the patients were measured and left ventricular function (EF%) was detected by echocardiography at the start of the study and after three and six months between October 2016 and April 2017.Results:Of 89 patients, 13 were underweight, 56 had a healthy weight, and 20 were overweight. There was a significant negative association between BNP level and both EF% and BMI (P<0.001, P<0.001) respectively. During the follow up of these patients there was a clear trend for BNP to be higher among patients with impaired left the ventricular function. There was also a strong inverse association between BNP level and GFR (P <0.001).Conclusion: BNP levels show a strong inverse association with EF%, BMI and GFR in patients with CRF. Currently, BNP widely used by most health institutions to predict left ventricular function. However, both BMI and GFR considered a significant confounder of BNP measurement in patients with compromised renal status.

Diagnosing cardiovascular disease in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with brain natriuretic peptide.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in zoo-housed great apes, accounting for 41% of adult gorilla death in North American zoological institutions. Obtaining a timely and accurate diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in gorillas is challenging, relying on echocardiography which generally requires anesthetic medications that may confound findings and can cause severe side effects in cardiovascularly compromised animals. The measurement of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has emerged as a modality of interest in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human patients with heart failure. This study evaluated records for 116 zoo-housed gorillas to determine relationships of BNP with cardiovascular disease. Elevations of BNP levels correlated with the presence of visible echocardiographic abnormalities, as well as reported clinical signs in affected gorillas. Levels of BNP greater 150 pb/mL should alert the clinician to the presence of myocardial strain and volume overload, warranting medical evaluation and intervention.

Utility of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in detecting diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic hypertensive patients: comparison with echocardiography.

Introduction: Data suggest that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT pro-BNP partially reflect ventricular pressure and could have a role in the early detection of diastolic abnormalities in hypertensive patients with normal systolic function. This study aimed to assess the role of NT pro-BNP for early detection of diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension and to correlate its level with echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction. Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study. Hundred cases of asymptomatic hypertensive patients with normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function and 100 healthy subjects were subjected to echocardiography and measurement of serum NT-pro BNP who received care at outpatient department of internal medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of health sciences, Nepal. Results: Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher (≥160 and/or 100 mm Hg) in cases compared to controls (<120/80 mm Hg). Echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction: E/A ratio, E/E'ratio, deceleration time and isovolumetric relaxation time showed a significant difference between cases and controls. Mean serum NT-proBNP was significantly higher in patients with hypertension (213.19 ±184.3 pg/mL) compared to controls (58.51 ± 11.01 pg/mL) (P=0.008). There was no significant difference in mean serum NT-pro BNP levels between cases with no LV diastolic dysfunction (n=14) and controls (n=100) but it showed a significant difference between cases with LV diastolic dysfunction of all grades (n=86) and controls (n=100) (P=0.00). NT-proBNP levels were higher in both group of patients with E/A ratios <0.9 and 0.9-1.5 (245.72 ± 166.73 pg/mL and 210.69 + 143.53 pg/mL respectively) as compared to controls. Mean serum NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in patients with IVRT >90 ms (270.43 ± 180.81 pg/mL) as compared to controls (P=0.03) but the difference was not significant between cases with IVRT of 60-90 ms (152.02 ± 100.23 pg/mL) and controls (P=0.09). NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in all groups of patients with E/E' ratios <8, 8-12, >12 (197 ± 121.25 pg/mL, 263.12 ± 122.52 pg/mL and 180 ± 106.56 pg/mL respectively) compared to controls. Conclusion: Mean serum NT-proBNP was significantly higher in patients with hypertension as compared to controls. There is some correlation between echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction and serum NT-proBNP. Hence, NT-proBNP may be useful for early detection of LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension.

BNP-Response to Acute Heart Failure Treatment Identifies High-Risk Population

Using serial measurements of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been proposed as a method to guide therapy for patients treated for acute decompensated heart failure. However, 20-47% of patients do not achieve the target BNP thresholds despite treatment. We hypothesised that "BNP unresponsive" patients represent a distinct group at high risk for poor outcomes and sought to examine the characteristics and outcomes of this group. In a retrospective study using electronic health record (EHR) data, we examined the outcomes of patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure. Patients were divided into two groups based on their pro-BNP response to treatment: (1) pro-BNP responsive to treatment (decrease by at least 30%) and (2) pro-BNP unresponsive to treatment (decrease by less than 30%). The primary outcomes of interest were 180-day mortality and 180-day readmission. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the independent association between pro-BNP response to treatment and 180-day mortality and readmission. Adjustment variables included age, gender, Charlson co-morbidity score, admission creatinine, admission haematocrit, ejection fraction, preserved ejection fraction, and LV end-diastolic dimension. The total study population included 819 patients with 455 (55.6%) in the pro-BNP responsive group and 364 (44.4%) in the pro-BNP unresponsive group. Admissions whose BNP was unresponsive to treatment had significantly increased risk for 180-day mortality, compared with BNP-responsive admissions (26.4% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001). Brain natriuretic peptide unresponsiveness remained significantly associated with increased 180-day mortality after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics (HRadj = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.52-3.14). BNP-unresponsiveness was not associated with significantly increased 180-day readmission rates (HRadj = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.92-1.25). Patients whose pro-BNP did not improve by >30% were at increased risk for 180-day mortality, but not 180-day readmission. Thus, BNP-unresponsiveness provides meaningful prognostic information, and it may define a patient population that would benefit from specific therapies to reduce the risk.

SOMAscan-based proteomic measurements of plasma brain natriuretic peptide are decreased in mild cognitive impairment and in Alzheimer's dementia patients.

Alzheimer's disease represents the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder and a leading cause of progressive cognitive impairment. Predicting cognitive decline is challenging but would be invaluable in an increasingly aging population which also experiences a rising cardiovascular risk. In order to examine whether plasma measurements of one of the established biomarkers of heart failure, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), reflect a decline in cognitive function, associated with Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration, BNP levels were analysed, by using a novel assay called a SOMAscan, in 1. cognitively healthy, control subjects; 2. subjects with mild cognitive impairment, and 3. subjects with Alzheimer's disease. The results of our study show that the levels of the BNP were significantly different between the three types of diagnoses (p < 0.05), whereby subjects with mild cognitive impairment had the lowest mean BNP value, and healthy subjects had the highest BNP value. Importantly, our results show that the levels of the BNP are influenced by the presence of at least one APOE4 allele in the healthy (p < 0.05) and in the Alzheimer's disease groups of subjects (p < 0.1). As the levels of the BNP appear to be independent of the APOE4 genotype in subjects with mild cognitive impairment, the results of our study support inclusion of measurements of plasma levels of the BNP in the list of the core Alzheimer's disease biomarkers for identification of the mild cognitive impairment group of patients. In addition, the results of our study warrant further investigations into molecular links between Alzheimer's disease-type cognitive decline and cardiovascular disorders.

B-type peptides to predict post-liver transplant mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation are at risk of cardiac complications. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-BNP) are used in cardiac risk stratification. Their significance in predicting mortality risk in cirrhotic patients during or after liver transplantation is unknown. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to answer this question. An electronic search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005-September 2016), Google Scholar, and study bibliographies was conducted. Study quality was determined, and demographic and outcome data were gathered. Random effects meta-analyses of mortality-based BNP and NT-BNP level or presence of post-transplant heart failure were conducted. Seven studies including 2,010 patients were identified. Demographics were similar between patients with high or low BNP or NT-BNP levels. Hepatitis C was the most prevalent etiology of cirrhosis (38%). Meta-analysis revealed a pooled relative risk of 3.1 (95% CI 1.9% to 5.0%) for post-transplant mortality based on elevated BNP or NT-BNP level. Meta-analysis also revealed a pooled relative risk of 1.6 (95% CI 1.3% to 2.1%) for post-transplant mortality if patients had demonstrated post-transplant heart failure. Our analysis suggests that BNP or NT-BNP measurement may help in risk stratification and provides data on post-operative mortality in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation. Discriminatory thresholds are higher in cirrhotic patients relative to prior studies with non-cirrhotic patients. However, the number of analyzed studies is limited, and our findings should be validated further through larger, prospective studies.

Right ventricular dyssynchrony and functional capacity before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in patients with mitral stenosis: Determinants and clinical impact.

We aimed to investigate the utility of right ventricular (RV) dyssynchrony to assess functional capacity utilizing 6-minute walking test distance (6MWTD) and to measure brain natriuretic peptide levels (BNP) in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and to study its value to predict adverse outcome following percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). A total of 108 patients with moderate to severe MS (26.5±7.5years) were included in this study. All were candidates for PBMV. RV strain curves were obtained using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography, and standard deviation (SD) of 4 segments without RV apex (-SD4) was also assessed. 6MWT and BNP were before and after 12months following PBMV. RV-SD4 was significantly prolonged in patients with MS compared with controls (P<0.001). Patients with 6MWTD ≤300m had a significantly increased RV-SD4 (P<0.001) and had higher BNP values (P<0.03) compared with those with 6MWTD >300m. RV-SD4 showed a strong correlation with 6MWT and BNP level. RV-SD4 was the strongest independent predictor of adverse outcome following PBMV (P<0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that RV-SD4 ≥24ms was the cutoff value which predicts the adverse outcome following PBMV. A considerable improvement of mean 6MWT with significant reduction of BNP levels after 12months of follow-up (P<0.001) in subjects with RV dyssynchrony <24ms. Right ventricular dyssynchrony is a useful predictor of functional status, as assessed with 6MWTD and BNP level in patients with MS. Furthermore, it might be considered as an independent predictor of adverse outcome following PMBV.

Protective effect of Xin-Ji-Er-Kang on cardiovascular remodeling in high salt-induced hypertensive mice.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Xin-Ji-Er-Kang (XJEK) on high salt-induced hypertensive mice. Mice with high-salt diet-induced hypertension were divided into four groups: Control (standard diet alone for 8 weeks), model (diet containing 8% NaCl for 8 weeks and intragastric administration of distilled water for the last 4 weeks), XJEK + high-salt-treated (diet containing 8% NaCl for 8 weeks and intragastric administration of XJEK for the last 4 weeks) and irbesartan + high-salt-treated (diet containing 8% NaCl for 8 weeks with intragastric administration of irbesartan for the last 4 weeks). The hemodynamic index and cardiac pathological changes in the hypertensive mice were then examined. An aortic ring apparatus was used to detect acetylcholine-dependent endothelium relaxation function. Colorimetric analysis was applied to determine serum nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde content; ELISA was employed to measure brain natriuretic peptide, serum angiotensin II (Ang II), endothelin-1 content and aldosterone; and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in cardiac tissues. XJEK improved the heart systolic and diastolic function, ameliorated hemodynamic parameters and cardiovascular remodeling indices, blunted the cardiac pathological changes and improved endothelial dysfunction (ED) via boosting eNOS activity, promoting NO bioavailability and decreasing serum Ang II content. Furthermore, treatment with XJEK inhibited the increase of IL-1β and TNF-α expression and the decrease of IL-10 expression in cardiac tissues, and ameliorated oxidative stress status. Therefore, XJEK exerted protective effects against high salt-induced hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling in mice via improving ED, restoring pro- and anti-inflammatory factor balance and decreasing oxidative stress.

BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE (BNP) AS A BIOMARKER OF CARDIAC TOXICITY IN CASES OF ACUTE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Background: Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a common toxicity emergency that leads in many occasions to morbidity and mortality. Acute myocardial injury is commonly observed among acute carbon monoxide poisoned patients and cardiac toxicity is found to be the cause of mortality in the majority of cases. Some studies recorded normal values of cardiac troponins in cases of acute CO poisoning with cardiac affection. Hence it is important to search for novel and sensitive biomarkers to diagnose cardiac ischemia in these cases. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone which is produced mainly in the ventricular myocardium in response to myocardial hypoxia. Aim: The present study aims to investigate the value of BNP measurement in detection of cardiac toxicity in acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Methods: The present study was conducted on 42 patients with acute CO poisoning admitted to the Poison Control Centre of Ain Shams University hospitals (PCC-ASUH). Routine laboratory tests and ECG were done on admission in addition to determination of the level of BNP and determination of troponin I. Results: Analysis of the results showed that there is an increase in the levels of BNP in patients suffering from acute CO poisoning with high levels seen in those with ischemic changes recorded by ECG. Conclusions: The present study concluded that plasma BNP levels could be used as a specific reliable biomarker of cardiac toxicity in patients with acute CO poisoning.

Association of brain natriuretic peptide and adrenomedullin plasma levels with left ventricular filling pressures in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are known to be associated with elevated left ventricular filling pressures. However, little is known about this association in hemodialysis (HD) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Our objective was to evaluate the potential association between E/e' ratio and plasma levels of BNP and ADM in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with preserved LVEF undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The study group enrolled 62 ESRD patients treated with hemodialysis three times weekly. BNP and ADM plasma concentration measurements and echocardiographic examination were performed 30 minutes after hemodialysis. E/e' ratio, evaluated by Tissue Doppler imaging and measured at the basal septum, was used as a surrogate marker for assessing left ventricular filling pressures. The mean age of patients was 62 ± 25 years. The mean BNP and ADM values after hemodialysis were 0.40 ± 6.73 ng/ml and 0.06 ± 2.12 ng/ml, respectively. Elderly patients with hypertrophied left ventricles and larger left atria displayed higher E/e' values. BNP (r = 0.324. p = 0.018) and ADM (r = 0.319, p = 0.042) plasma levels were positively and significantly associated with E/e΄. Multivariate regression analysis including BNP, ADM, age, hemodialysis duration, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, LVEF, left ventricular mass index and left atrium volume index, revealed that ADM (p-value 0.025) but not BNP levels, were independently associated with the E/e' ratio. ADM, but not BNP, was independently associated with septal E/e' in HD patients with preserved LVEF. ADM plasma levels can be used as a surrogate index to assess left ventricular filling pressures in HD patients.

Peripheral Intravenous Volume Analysis (PIVA) for Quantitating Volume Overload in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure—A Pilot Study

BackgroundTo determine the feasibility of peripheral intravenous volume analysis (PIVA) of venous waveforms for assessing volume overload in patients admitted to the hospital with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). MethodsVenous waveforms were captured from a peripheral intravenous catheter in subjects admitted for ADHF and healthy age-matched controls. Admission PIVA signal, brain natriuretic peptide, and chest radiographic measurements were related to the net volume removed during diuresis. ResultsADHF patients had a significantly greater PIVA signal on admission compared with the control group (P = .0013, n = 18). At discharge, ADHF patients had a PIVA signal similar to the control group. PIVA signal, not brain natriuretic peptide or chest radiographic measures, accurately predicted the amount of volume removed during diuresis (R2 = 0.781, n = 14). PIVA signal at time of discharge greater than 0.20, demonstrated 83.3% 120-day readmission rate. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility of PIVA for assessment of volume overload in patients admitted to the hospital with ADHF.

The efficacy of serum brain natriuretic peptide for the early detection of portopulmonary hypertension in biliary atresia patients before liver transplantation.

Severe portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) is a contraindication for liver transplantation (LT) because of the high risk of postoperative heart failure. The early detection of POPH is important for patients with biliary atresia (BA). Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is known to be correlated with liver fibrosis in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of BNP measurement for the follow-up of patients with BA. Thirty-two patients with BA were identified from September 2011 to December 2016. As indices of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, APRI (P<.0001), FIB-4 (P<.0001), Child-Pugh score (P<.0001), IV collagen (P=.0005), and hyaluronic acid (P=.0291) had high or moderate correlations with BNP. Patients with splenomegaly, esophageal varices, liver fibrosis, and collateral veins had significantly higher BNP levels than those without. Patients diagnosed with POPH had significantly higher BNP levels in comparison with those patients without (P=.0068). In contrast, PELD/MELD scores showed an almost negligible correlation with the BNP level. LT was successful in 3 asymptomatic BA patients with POPH who had high BNP levels despite the low PELD/MELD scores. In conclusion, routine serum BNP surveillance can be easy to predict asymptomatic POPH. This may help to identify POPH before it reaches a stage that would contraindicate LT.

Hormones natriurétiques et syndrome métabolique : mise au point

Natriuretic peptides are a group of hormones including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C type (CNP), urodilatin and guanilyn. ANP (half-life: 2-4 min), is secreted by the atrium, BNP (half-life: 20 min) by the ventricle, CNP by the vascular endothelium, urodilatin by the kidney and guanylin by the intestine. These natriuretic peptides prevent water and salt retention through renal action, vasodilatation and hormonal inhibition of aldosterone, vasopressin and cortisol. These peptides also have a recently demonstrated metabolic effect through an increase of lipolysis, thermogenesis, beta cell proliferation and muscular sensitivity to insulin. Blood levels of these natriuretic peptides depend on "active NPR-A receptors/clearance NPR-C receptors", the last ones being abundant on adipocytes. Therefore, natriuretic peptides act as adipose tissue regulator and constitute a link between blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. They are used as markers and treatment of cardiac failure. Other applications are on going. BNP and NT-proBNP (inactive portion de la pro-hormone) are used as markers of cardiac failure since they have a longer half-life than ANP. BNP decrease is quicker and more important than that one of NT-ProBNP in case of improvement of cardiac failure. Chronic renal insufficiency and beta-blockers increase BNP levels. BNP measurement is useless under treatment with neprilysine inhibitors such as sacubitril, one of the neutral endopeptidases involved in catabolism of natriuretic peptides. The association sacubitril/valsartan is a new treatment of chronic cardiac failure, acting through the decrease of ANP catabolism.

Baseline and Serial Brain Natriuretic Peptide Level Predicts 5-Year Overall Survival in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Data From the REVEAL Registry

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is a prognostic biomarker in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Its impact on long-term overall survival (OS) was investigated in the Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management (REVEAL), a 5-year observational, multicenter, US registry of patients with PAH. Patients were≥ 18 years of age, met right heart catheterization criteria at rest, had World Health Organization group I PAH, and had BNP measurement at enrollment. Optimal BNP threshold was obtained via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. OS was compared in patients with low (≤ 340 pg/mL) vshigh (> 340 pg/mL) BNP at baseline; changes between baseline and last assessment were also examined. Patients were categorized based on baseline (low or high) and follow-up (low or high) BNP values; hazard ratios (HRs) for OS were estimated and compared using Cox regression. Overall, 1,426 patients were analyzed. Mortality risk was significantly higher in patients with baseline high vslow BNP (HR, 3.6; 95%CI, 3.0-4.2). BNP change analysis at≤ 1 year postenrollment demonstrated that the low-low group had the lowest and the high-high group had the highest 5-year mortality risk (HR, 0.23; 95%CI, 0.19-0.27). Changes in BNP score also correlated with change of risk of death. Baseline BNP threshold of 340 pg/mL strongly predicted survival up to 5 years in patients with PAH. A BNP reduction at 1 year since enrollment was associated with decreased mortality risk, whereas an increase in BNP at 1 year was associated with an increased mortality risk, supporting BNP as a surrogate marker of PAH survival.

Sensitive Cardiac Troponins: Could They Be New Biomarkers in Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Congenital Heart Disease?

To analyze the role of sensitive cardiac troponin I (scTnI) and high-sensitive troponin T (hscTnT) in the determination of myocardial injury caused by volume and pressure load due to pulmonary hypertension (PH) and to investigate if these markers may be useful in the management of PH in childhood. Twenty-eight patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) with left to right shunt and PH, 29 patients with CHD with left to right shunt but without PH, and 18 healthy children, in total 75 individuals, were included in the study. All cases were aged between 4 and 36 months. Echocardiographic evaluation was performed in all cases, and invasive hemodynamic investigation was performed in 33 cases. Blood samples were obtained from all cases, for the measurement of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP), sensitive cardiac troponin I (scTnI), and high-sensitive troponin T (hscTnT) levels. The mean BNP, pro-BNP, scTnI, and hsTnT levels were statistically significantly higher in patients with PH than in the patients without PH (p < 0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was determined between pulmonary artery systolic pressure and scTnI and hscTnT levels (r = 0.34 p = 0.01, r = 0.46 p < 0.001, respectively) levels. Pulmonary hypertension determined in congenital heart diseases triggers myocardial damage independently of increased volume or pressure load and resistance, occurring by disrupting the perfusion via increasing ventricular wall tension and the myocardial oxygen requirement. Serum scTnI and hscTnT levels may be helpful markers to determine the damage associated with PH in childhood.

Standardization of BNP and NT-proBNP Immunoassays in Light of the Diverse and Complex Nature of Circulating BNP-Related Peptides.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the N-terminal fragment of the BNP precursor (NT-proBNP) are widely used as heart failure (HF) biomarkers. Since the discovery of BNP in 1988, much effort has been allocated to the precise detection of BNP and NT-proBNP levels for reliable HF diagnostics. As a result, measurements of these biomarkers are globally accepted and used in clinical practice for the diagnosis of acute and chronic HF, risk stratification, and monitoring response to therapy. Several immunoassays specific for BNP and NT-proBNP are currently commercially available. Recent comparative studies show that there are marked differences between different BNP and NT-proBNP assays and platforms, and the results of measurements are not comparable enough. The lack of equivalence between the assays complicates the interpretation of the results and renders the cut-off points for diagnostic decisions to be method dependent. Presently, there is no agreement on what kind of BNP or NT-proBNP standard should be used for calibration, and a certified reference material as well as reference measurement procedures are lacking. The aim of this chapter is to summarize the available data on the complex nature of BNP-related peptides, specificity for existing BNP and NT-proBNP immunoassays, and to discuss potential approaches for standardization of BNP and NT-proBNP measurements.

Correlation between plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels and left atrial appendage flow velocity in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and normal left ventricular systolic function.

The left atrial appendage (LAA) flow velocity is an important factor for thrombus formation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NV-AF). Recently, the relation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and thromboembolism has been reported in patients with NV-AF. The aim of this study was to determine whether the plasma BNP is predictive of lower LAA flow velocity in patients with NV-AF and normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function. A total of 184 patients with NV-AF (132 men; 65±12years, LV ejection fraction; 65±10%) underwent transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and measurement of plasma BNP. The LAA flow velocity was obtained by pulsed Doppler TEE. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that plasma BNP levels, left atrial volume index (LAVI), LV mass index (LVMI), and the CHADS2 score were independent predictors of lower LAA flow velocity (<20cm/s). Plasma BNP levels (r=-0.58, p<0.001) were correlated with LAA flow velocity. The area under the curve (AUC) for BNP (AUC 0.803) was larger than that for the CHADS2 score (AUC 0.712), LAVI (AUC 0.664) and LVMI (AUC 0.608) with an optimal BNP cut-off value of 164pg/ml (sensitivity 75.7%, specificity 71.1%). This study showed that a higher plasma BNP was associated with a lower LAA flow velocity in patients with NV-AF and normal LV systolic function. The plasma BNP may complement the role of the CHADS2 score in predicting lower LAA flow velocity.

Elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an early marker for patients at risk for complications after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC).

Elevated BNP is associated with adverse cardiac outcomes after noncardiac surgery. We assessed BNP values as markers of perioperative fluid status and their correlation with major/cardiopulmonary (CP) complications following CRS + HIPEC. Fluid balance, BNP levels, and morbidity data were collected for all patients undergoing CRS + HIPEC between 6/2014 and 2/2016. One hundred and twenty-nine patients underwent CRS + HIPEC for appendiceal adenocarcinoma (n = 99), mesothelioma (n = 16), and colon cancer (n = 14). Less than 10% had CP comorbidities. The median PCI was 14 (range 4-39); 89% underwent CC0/1 resection (n = 115). Median blood loss (EBL) was 497 mL (50-2700). Major complications (Clavien III-V) occurred in 16 (12%), CP in 17 (13%), and major/CP in 24 (18%). Thirty-day mortality occurred in 2 (1.5%). Elevated BNP on POD1 correlated with increased risk of major/CP complications (OR 2.2, P = 0.052). This was most pronounced in the 25 patients receiving cisplatin: for each 100 unit increase in POD1 BNP the OR for major/CP complication was 7.4 versus 1.2 for the remaining patients, P = 0.083. Multivariate analysis identified increased EBL (OR 4.1 P = 0.011) and a trend toward increased BNP on POD1 (OR for each 100 unit increase 2.0, P = 0.10) as risk factors for major/CP complications. Postoperative BNP measurement after CRS + HIPEC may guide postoperative fluid resuscitation and facilitate identification of patients at risk for major and/or cardiopulmonary complications.

Abnormal biventricular performance in asymptomatic adolescents late after repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: Combined two-dimensional speckle tracking and three-dimensional echocardiography study

BackgroundThe aim of this prospective study was to assess biventricular performance in asymptomatic adolescents with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) using 2D speckle tracking and real time 3D echocardiography simultaneously. MethodsWe studied 31 patients with repaired TOF (M/F: 22/9, age: 16.1 ± 6.1 yrs) who had history of cardiac surgery with mean follow-up duration of 12.8 years, and 32 age- and sex-matched normal individuals (M/F: 23/9, age: 16.6 ± 5.1 yrs). All subjects underwent speckle tracking and 3D echocardiography, electrocardiogram, treadmill, and blood sampling for measurement of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). ResultsCompared to the control group, the TOF group had higher BNP level (31.8 ± 21.4 vs 14.1 ± 12.4 pg/ml, p < 0.01), lower peak oxygen consumption (8.4 ± 1.7 vs 9.9 ± 1.6 ml/kg/min, p < 0.05), and longer QRS duration (126 ± 30 vs 82 ± 9 ms, p < 0.01). Patients with repaired TOF had significantly impaired right ventricle (RV) global and all six regional longitudinal strain and strain rate than normal controls. Left ventricle (LV) global and mainly apical regional longitudinal strain and strain rate were reduced in patients with repaired TOF. There was a significant correlation of global longitudinal strain (r = 0.456, p = 0.01) and global time to peak longitudinal strain (r = 0.484, p < 0.01) between LV and RV in patients with repaired TOF. In terms of 3D echo cardiographic volume data, patients with repaired TOF had lower LV stroke volume index (p < 0.05), but higher RV end diastolic volume index (p < 0.01), RV end systolic volume index (p < 0.01), RV stroke volume index (p < 0.01), and pulmonary regurgitation fraction (p < 0.01) than normal controls. ConclusionOur results suggest asymptomatic adolescents with repaired TOF had abnormal biventricular myocardial performance, as demonstrated by combined 2D speckle-tracking and 3D echocardiography. The implications of these findings for management of adolescents late after repaired TOF remain to be determined.