Changes In B-type Natriuretic Peptide Research Articles

Prospective Evaluation of Sunitinib-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate cardiotoxicity risk with sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) routine clinical practice using comprehensive echocardiography and biomarker phenotyping.Experimental Design: In a multicenter prospective study of 90 patients with mRCC, echocardiography and biomarkers of cardiovascular injury and stress were quantified at baseline, 3.5, 15, and 33 weeks following sunitinib initiation. These "on-drug" visits corresponded to cycles 1, 3, and 6, respectively. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was defined as an absolute decline in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) by ≥10% to a value of <50%. Conditional survival analyses predicted the risk of LV dysfunction. Linear mixed-effects models estimated changes in LVEF, high-sensitivity Troponin I (hsTnI), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) over time.Results: The predicted risk of LV dysfunction by cycle 6 was 9.7% (95% confidence interval, 3%-17%). The majority of events occurred in the first treatment cycle. This risk diminished to 5% and 2% in patients who had not experienced dysfunction by the completion of cycles 1 and 3, respectively. All evaluable patients who experienced LV dysfunction had subsequent improvement in LVEF with careful management. Six patients (6.7%) developed hsTnI elevations >21.5 pg/mL, and 11 additional patients (12.2%) developed BNP elevations >100 pg/mL. These elevations similarly tended to occur early and resolved over time.Conclusions: On average, patients with mRCC receiving sunitinib exhibit modest declines in LVEF and nonsignificant changes in hsTnI and BNP. However, approximately 9.7% to 18.9% of patients develop more substantive abnormalities. These changes occur early and are largely recoverable with careful management. Clin Cancer Res; 23(14); 3601-9. ©2017 AACR.

In-hospital and long-term outcomes of congestive heart failure: Predictive value of B-type and amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides and their ratio.

Relative changes in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) levels may help to assess the risk of congestive heart failure (CHF). However, whether these levels at the time of admission enable the prediction of outcomes with acute exacerbation remains unknown. The current study determined the abilities of BNP, NT-proBNP and their ratio to predict in-hospital and long-term outcomes of patients with CHF. Patients who were admitted to the cardiac care unit of Juntendo University Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) with acute CHF onset were consecutively enrolled into the present observational study. Serum levels of BNP and NT-proBNP were immediately measured on admission, and other biomarkers and clinical data were also investigated. Of 195 enrolled patients, 16 (8.2%) succumbed to CHF in hospital and 124 (69.3%) reached the endpoint of mortality or readmission following a median follow-up of 14 months. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed body mass index, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobin, estimated glomerular filtration rate and C-reactive protein as independent predictors of the NT-proBNP/BNP ratio. BNP, NT-proBNP and their ratio were significantly higher among those who succumbed to CHF than in those who remained alive in hospital (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the ratio was an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality and long-term outcomes. In conclusion, the ratio of NT-proBNP to BNP more effectively predicts in-hospital outcomes than either factor alone and it may also help to predict outcomes among patients with acute exacerbation of HF.

Persistent increase in cardiac troponin T at hospital discharge predicts repeat hospitalization in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

BackgroundHigh-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) is a sensitive biomarker of myocardial damage and predictor of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, there is little information on changes over time in hsTnT level during ADHF management. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate changes in hsTnT levels between admission and at discharge in patients with ADHF, and identify factors that determine such levels and their prognostic significance.Methods and resultsWe evaluated 404 ADHF patients with abnormal hsTnT levels (≥0.0135 ng/ml) on admission. The median (interquartile ranges) hsTnT levels on admission, at discharge, and percent changes in hsTnT levels were 0.038 (0.026 to 0.065), 0.032 (0.021 to 0.049) ng/ml, and -12.0 (-39.8 to 7.4) % respectively. The numbers of patients with falling (hsTnT decrease > -15%), stable (hsTnT change between -15 and +15%) and rising (hsTnT increase > +15%) hsTnT level at discharge were 190, 146, and 68, respectively. The percent change in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels was greater in the falling group, compared to the stable (p<0.001) and rising groups (p<0.001). Changes in hsTnT levels correlated significantly with changes in BNP levels (ρ = 0.22, p<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified rising or stable hsTnT at discharge as a significant predictor of heart failure-related rehospitalization (hazard ratio: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.06 to 2.70; p = 0.03).ConclusionsPersistent increase in hsTnT levels at discharge correlated with inadequate decrease of BNP levels, and was a predictor of poor clinical outcome, with repeat heart failure hospitalizations.

Changes in B-type Natriuretic Peptide and Related Hemodynamic Parameters Following a Fluid Challenge in Critically Ill Patients with Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock.

Context:Severe sepsis or septic shock.Aims:The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a fluid challenge on the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the hemodynamic state.Settings and Design:This observational study was conducted in an intensivist-led academic, mixed medical-surgical Intensive Care Unit.Subjects and Methods:Focused transthoracic echocardiogram, plasma BNP, and hemodynamic measurements were recorded at baseline and following a 500 ml fluid challenge in thirty patients. Independent predictors of the percentage (%) change in stroke volume (SV) were sought. Next, these independent predictors were assessed for a relationship with the percentage change in BNP.Statistical Analysis Used:Multiple linear regressions, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, t-test, and Pearson's correlation were used. Data analysis was carried out using SAS. The 5% significance level was used.Results:Using a multiple regression models, the percentage increase in SV was independently predicted by the percentage increase in mean arterial pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic volume/dimension (LVEDV/LVEDd), ejection fraction, and a decrease in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (P < 0.0001). Preload, measured using LVEDV1 (before the fluid challenge) was significantly larger in the fluid nonresponders (%SV increase <15%) vs. the responders (%SV increase ≥15%). Finally, the percentage change in BNP was positively correlated with left ventricular size at end diastole LVEDd, r = 0.4, P < 0.035).Conclusions:An increase in BNP soon after a fluid challenge may have some predictive utility of a large LVEDd, which in turn can be used to independently predict the SV response to a fluid challenge.

Biomarkers in Persistent AF and Heart Failure: Impact of Catheter Ablation Compared with Rate Control.

To investigate the effects of catheter ablation and rate control strategies on cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with heart failure and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients were recruited from the ARC-HF trial (catheter Ablation vs Rate Control for management of persistent AF in Heart Failure, NCT00878384), which compared ablation with rate control for persistent AF in heart failure. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), apelin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary end point, analyzed per-protocol, was changed from baseline at 12 months. Of 52 recruited patients, 24 ablation and 25 rate control subjects were followed to 12 months. After 1.2 ± 0.5 procedures, sinus rhythm was present in 22 (92%) ablation patients; under rate control, rate criteria were achieved in 23 (96%) of 24 patients remaining in AF. At 12 months, MR-proANP fell significantly in the ablation arm (-106.0 pmol/L, interquartile range [IQR] -228.2 to -60.6) compared with rate control (-28.7 pmol/L, IQR -69 to +9.5, P = 0.028). BNP showed a similar trend toward reduction (P = 0.051), with no significant difference in apelin (P = 0.13) or IL-6 (P = 0.68). Changes in MR-proANP and BNP correlated with peak VO2 and ejection fraction, and MR-proANP additionally with quality-of-life score. Catheter ablation, compared with rate control, in patients with heart failure and persistent AF was associated with significant reduction in MR-proANP, which correlated with physiological and symptomatic improvement. Ablation-based rhythm control may induce beneficial cardiac remodeling, unrelated to changes in inflammatory state. This may have prognostic implications, which require confirmation by event end point studies.

B-type natriuretic peptide and plasma hemoglobin levels following transfusion of shorter-storage versus longer-storage red blood cells: Results from the TOTAL randomized trial

Prior studies have suggested that transfusion of stored red blood cells (RBCs) with increased levels of cell-free hemoglobin might reduce the bioavailability of recipient nitric oxide (NO) and cause myocardial strain. Ugandan children (ages 6-60 months) with severe anemia and lactic acidosis were randomly assigned to receive RBCs stored 1-10 days versus 25-35 days. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), vital signs, renal function test results, and plasma hemoglobin were measured. Most children had either malaria or sickle cell disease and were thus at risk for reduced NO bioavailability. Seventy patients received RBCs stored 1-10 days, and 77 received RBCs stored 25-35 days. The median (interquartile range) cell-free hemoglobin was nearly 3 times higher in longer-storage RBCs (26.4 [15.5-43.4] μmol/L) than in shorter-storage RBCs (10.8 [7.8-18.6] μmol/L), P < .0001. Median (interquartile range) BNP 2 hours posttransfusion was 156 (59-650) pg/mL (shorter storage) versus 158 (59-425) pg/mL (longer storage), P = .76. BNP values 22 hours posttransfusion were 110 (46-337) pg/mL (shorter storage) versus 96 (49-310) pg/mL (longer storage), P = .76. Changes in BNP within individuals from pretransfusion to 2 hours (or 22 hours) posttransfusion were not significantly different between the study groups. BNP change following transfusion did not correlate with the concentration of cell-free hemoglobin in the RBC supernatant. Blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and change in plasma hemoglobin were not significantly different in the 2 groups. In a randomized trial among children at risk for reduced NO bioavailability, we found that BNP, blood pressure, creatinine, and plasma hemoglobin were not higher in patients receiving RBCs stored for 25-35 versus 1-10 days.

Waon Therapy for Managing Chronic Heart Failure - Results From a Multicenter Prospective Randomized WAON-CHF Study.

Waon therapy improves heart failure (HF) symptoms, but further evidence in patients with advanced HF remains uncertain. In 19 institutes, we prospectively enrolled hospitalized patients with advanced HF, who had plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) >500 pg/ml on admission and BNP >300 pg/ml regardless of more than 1 week of medical therapy. Enrolled patients were randomized into Waon therapy or control groups. Waon therapy was performed once daily for 10 days with a far infrared-ray dry sauna maintained at 60℃ for 15 min, followed by bed rest for 30 min covered with a blanket. The primary endpoint was the ratio of BNP before and after treatment. In total, 76 Waon therapy and 73 control patients (mean age 66 years, men 61%, mean plasma BNP 777 pg/ml) were studied. The groups differed only in body mass index and the frequency of diabetes. The plasma BNP, NYHA classification, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and cardiothoracic ratio significantly improved only in the Waon therapy group. Improvements in NYHA classification, 6MWD, and cardiothoracic ratio were significant in the Waon therapy group, although the change in plasma BNP did not reach statistical significance. No serious adverse events were observed in either group. Waon therapy, a holistic soothing warmth therapy, showed clinical advantages in safety and efficacy among patients with advanced HF.

How B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and Body Weight Changes Vary in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Compared With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Secondary Results of the HABIT (HF Assessment With BNP in the Home) Trial

BackgroundHeart failure is a common cause of hospitalization and can be divided into types with preserved and reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF and HFrEF, respectively). In this subanalysis of the HABIT (Heart Failure Assessment With BNP in the Home) trial, we examined the differences between home B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing and weight monitoring in patients with HFpEF and with HFrEF before decompensation. Methods and ResultsThis was a retrospective review of patients with HFpEF and HFrEF from the HABIT trial. The HFpEF patients compared with HFrEF patients were older and more obese and had lower baseline BNP values. Intra-individual BNP dispersion (spread of distribution over time) was greater in HFpEF than in HFrEF owing to rapid fluctuations (within 3 days). Slowly varying changes in BNP (estimated by a moving average) were equally predictive of ADHF risk in both HFpEF and HFrEF. However, in HFpEF, a rapid rise in BNP >200 pg/mL within 3 days was associated with an increased risk of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF; hazard ratio 4.0), whereas a similar association was not observed in HFrEF. Weight gain ≥5 lb in 3 days had a high specificity but low sensitivity for ADHF in both HFpEF and HFrEF, whereas a lower threshold of ≥2 lb weight gain over 3 days in patients with HFpEF (but not HFrEF) was a moderately sensitive cutoff associated with decompensation (60% sensitivity). ConclusionsPatients with HFpEF and HFrEF have variations in their BNP and weight before decompensation. The rapid time scale behaves differently between the groups. In those with HFpEF, a 3-day period characterized by ≥2 lb weight gain and/or >200 pg/mL BNP rise was significantly associated with decompensation. Future prospective studies investigating different weight and BNP cutoffs for home monitoring of HFpEF and HFrEF patients should be performed to fully learn the value of BNP changes before clinical deompensation.

Impact of Serial B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Changes for Predicting Outcome in Asymptomatic Patients With Aortic Stenosis

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the impact on the outcome of serial B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) changes during follow-up in asymptomatic patients with ≥ moderate aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. MethodsWe prospectively screened 69 patients who underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography, BNP level measurement at baseline and after every 6 or 12 months. Annualized BNP changes were calculated as the difference between the last and baseline BNP measurements divided by the duration of follow-up. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of symptoms, aortic valve replacement, or cardiovascular death. ResultsDuring a follow-up of 30 ± 19 months, 43 patients experienced a cardiac event. These patients were significantly older (73 ± 9 vs 65 ± 16 years; P = 0.010), had more often dyslipidemia (79% vs 42%; P = 0.038), more severe AS (peak velocity: 3.9 ± 0.6 vs 3.5 ± 0.6 m/s; P = 0.002), larger indexed left atrial area (10.2 ± 2.5 vs 8.7 ± 1.9 cm2/m2; P = 0.006), and a higher increase in annualized BNP (+90 ± 155 vs +7 ± 49 pg/mL/y; P = 0.010). Patients with higher annualized BNP changes (> 20 pg/mL/y) had a significantly lower cardiac event-free survival (1 year: 63 ± 8% vs 97 ± 3%; 3 years: 31 ± 8% vs 68 ± 8%; P < 0.001). Using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, higher annualized BNP changes were significantly associated with increased risk of cardiac events (hazard ratio: 2.73, 95% confidence interval: 1.27-5.86; P = 0.010) after adjustment for age, dyslipidemia, and echocardiographic parameters. ConclusionsIn asymptomatic patients with AS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, the use of serial BNP changes may help to anticipate development of class I indication for aortic valve replacement.

Soluble ST2 and troponin I combination: Useful biomarker for predicting development of stress cardiomyopathy in patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit

ObjectiveStress cardiomyopathy (SCM) sometimes develops in patients with non-cardiac medical illness. We hypothesized that soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) can predict SCM. MethodsIn 76 patients admitted to non-cardiac medical intensive care unit (MICU), echocardiography and sST2 were assessed on admission day (D0) and on the third day (D2). Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured on D0. ResultsThe SCM group (21%, 16/76) showed significantly higher cTnI, BNP, sST2 (D2), and sST2 changes than the non-SCM group. In receiver operator characteristics curve analysis, they equally predicted SCM. In 65 patients with normal cTnI, sST2 (D2) and sST2 changes predicted SCM better than cTnI or BNP. ConclusionFollow-up sST2 and the change in sST2 have additional predictive value for SCM in patients with normal cTnI. A combination strategy of sST2 and cTnI would be useful to predict SCM in patients admitted to the MICU.

Kinetics of B-type natriuretic peptide plasma levels in patients with left-sided breast cancer treated with radiation therapy: Results after one-year follow-up

Purpose: To analyze temporal changes of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) used as index of heart remodeling in left-sided breast cancer patients after radiotherapy (RT) and its relationship with dosimetric parameters.Methods and materials: BNP and dose-volume parameters for heart and ventricle were collected in 59 patients (median age 58.0 years) during a 1-year follow-up. Biochemical measurements were performed before the RT treatment (T0), at 15 days during RT (T15day), at the end of RT (TendRT), and then at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months (T1, T3, T6, T9 and T12). A logistical regression analysis was performed to identify demographic characteristics, dosimetric variables and risk factors associated with increased values of BNP.Results: The ratio between the BNP value at T12 and the BNP value at T0 (BNPT12/BNPT0) increased significantly (p < 0.01). A significant association was found between the variation of BNP values after 1 year and the isodose received by 50% of the volume (D50% [Gy]) both to the heart (p = 0.03) and ventricle (p = 0.04).Conclusions: BNP plasma levels could provide additional information about subclinical RT-induced cardiotoxicity earlier than traditional ecocardiographic data.

B-type natriuretic peptide response and reverse left ventricular remodeling after surgical correction of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with advanced cardiomyopathy

BackgroundRestrictive mitral annuloplasty (RMA) can reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and reduce plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a surrogate biomarker of heart failure. However, the relationship between reverse LV remodeling and plasma BNP changes after RMA is poorly defined. We explored the main hemodynamic factors contributing to change in plasma BNP after RMA in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (MR). MethodsTwenty-four patients with moderate to severe functional MR secondary to LV systolic dysfunction [ejection fraction (EF) <40%] underwent 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) before and 1.4 months after RMA. LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), end-systolic volume index (ESVI), LVEF, and regional and global end-systolic wall stress (ESS) were calculated from 3-dimensional MDCT images, with blood samples for plasma BNP measurement collected the same day. ResultsAfter RMA, LV volumes and global ESS were decreased, while LVEF improved (all p<0.01). There were significant correlations between changes in LVEDVI and LVESVI (r=0.90, p<0.0001), LVESVI and global ESS (r=0.54, p=0.006), and global ESS and LVEF (r=−0.60, p=0.002). The median value for the plasma BNP also decreased from 597pg/ml [interquartile range (IQR), 360–934pg/ml] to 207pg/ml (IQR, 124–271pg/ml), in association with changes in LVEDVI (r=0.47, p=0.019), LVESVI (r=0.56, p=0.004), LVEF (r=−0.60, p=0.002), and global ESS (r=0.74, p<0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that global ESS change was the strongest contributor to change in natural-log-transformed plasma BNP (standardized partial regression coefficient=0.59, p=0.004), indicating a strong association between decrease in LV afterload and reduction in plasma BNP level after RMA. ConclusionsThere may be a significant association between LV reverse remodeling and plasma BNP change after RMA. Furthermore, LV end-systolic myocardial stress may be the key mechanical stimulus influencing plasma BNP after surgical correction for functional MR. Whether these favorable BNP responses and reverse remodeling can predict improved survival requires further study.

Letter regarding the article: Changes in BNP and cardiac troponin I after high-intensity interval and endurance exercise in heart failure patients and healthy controls

We have read with a great interest the article of Benda et al. [1] recently published in the International Journal of Cardiology on the changes in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin (cTn) after high-intensity interval and endurance exercise in heart failure patients and healthy controls. The authors found that exercise-induced changes in cTn and BNP were similar between isocaloric bouts of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and continuous endurance exercise (CONT) in patients with stable chronic heart failure (CHF).

Changes in BNP and cardiac troponin I after high-intensity interval and endurance exercise in heart failure patients and healthy controls

Exercise training represents a cornerstone of contemporary cardiac rehabilitation. Recently, high-intensity interval training (HIT) has been popularized for heart failure (HF) patients (1) and may serve as a superior mode of exercise compared to traditional endurance exercise training. However, there is controversy regarding the safety (2) and the direct effects of HIT on the heart. Previous studies have demonstrated that an acute bout of exercise leads to an increase in cardiac troponin (cTn), a biomarker for cardiac injury, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a marker for cardiomyocyte stress (3,4). Exercise-induced elevation in these biomarkers is related to exercise intensity and duration (4,5), and may occur to a larger extend in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (6). To date, no previous study: 1. compared changes in cTn and BNP between endurance exercise and HIT, and 2. explored differences in exercise-induced changes in cTn and BNP between HF patients and controls.

Prognostic Value of Serial B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Measurement in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (from the PARTNER Trial)

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have shown a correlation with outcomes in studies of aortic valve surgery. Results from multicenter trials of BNP in transcatheter aortic valve surgery (TAVR) are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of serial measurement of BNP in transfemoral TAVR. A total of 1,097 patients who underwent TAVR via transfemoral access were analyzed by tertile of baseline BNP. Of those, 933 with BNP levels at 30 days were divided into 2 groups on the basis of increases (334 patients) or decreases or no change (599 patients) in BNP compared with baseline. Patients in the low-tertile BNP group had a lower rate of death at 1 year than those in the higher tertile group (15.0% vs 23.0%, p<0.01) which was not significant in multivariate analysis. Over 1 year, BNP decreased from 1,258.13±2,988.33 to 594.37±1,087.30 (p<0.01) in the entire group. Patients in the BNP-rise group had higher rates of death at 1 year (20.3% vs 11.4%, p<0.01) and an overall increase in moderate or severe aortic regurgitation over 1 year (p<0.01). Multivariate predictors of 1-year mortality were moderate or severe aortic regurgitation (hazard ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 3.05, p<0.01), increase in BNP at 30 days (hazard ratio 1.82, 95% confidence interval 1.26 to 2.62, p<0.01) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.10, p=0.03). In conclusion, increase in BNP at 30 days from baseline and moderate or severe aortic regurgitation at 30 days in patients who undergo transfemoral TAVR are independently associated with 1-year mortality. Increase in BNP at 30 days should prompt evaluation for causes of elevated wall stress, including aortic regurgitation.

The Effect of Carvedilol on B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Cardiac Function in Patients with Heart Failure and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives: We sought to determine the relationship between changes in natriuretic peptides and symptoms as a consequence of introducing beta-blocker therapy, in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 47 patients with CHF and persistent AF (mean age 68 years and 62% men), we analysed the individual change (Δ) in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level to the introduction of carvedilol (titrated to a target dose of 25 mg twice daily, group A) or placebo (group B) in addition to background treatment with digoxin. Symptoms score, 6-min walk distance, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), heart rate (24-hour ECG) and BNP were measured at baseline and at 4 months. Results: LVEF (Δ median +5 vs. +0.4, p = 0.048), symptoms score (Δ median -4 vs. 0, p = 0.04), NYHA class (Δ median -33% vs. +3% in NYHA class 3-4, p = 0.046) and heart rate [Δ median 24-hour ventricular rate (VR) -19 vs. -2, p < 0.0001] improved with combination therapy of digoxin and carvedilol compared to digoxin alone, but BNP (Δ median +28 vs. -6 , p = 0.11) trended in the opposite direction. There was no relationship between the degree of symptomatic improvement or VR control and BNP response. Conclusion: After the introduction of carvedilol, clinical outcome appears unrelated to BNP changes in patients with CHF and AF. Changes in BNP cannot be used as a marker of clinical response in terms of symptoms or cardiac function in this setting.

Waon therapy improves quality of life as well as cardiac function and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.

Waon therapy (WT), which in Japanese means soothing warmth, is a repeated sauna therapy that improves cardiac and vascular endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We investigated whether WT could improve the quality of life (QOL) of CHF patients in addition to improving cardiac function and exercise capacity.A total of 49 CHF patients (69 ± 14 years old) were treated with a 60°C far infrared-ray dry sauna bath for 15 minutes and then kept in a bed covered with blankets for 30 minutes once a day for 3 weeks. At baseline and 3 weeks after starting WT, cardiac function, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and SF36-QOL scores were determined.WT significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), 6MWD, and FMD (3.6 ± 2.3 to 5.1 ± 2.8%, P < 0.01). Moreover, WT significantly improved not only the physical (PC) but also mental component (MC) of the QOL scores. WT-induced improvement of PC was negatively correlated with changes in BNP (r = -0.327, P < 0.05), but MC improvement was not related directly to changes in BNP, LVEF, or 6MWD. WT-induced changes in MC were not parallel to PC improvement.WT improved QOL as well as cardiac function and exercise capacity in patients with CHF. Mental QOL improved independently of WT-induced improvement of cardiac function and exercise capacity.

The long-term effects of dietary sodium restriction on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure. The SODIUM-HF (Study of Dietary Intervention Under 100 mmol in Heart Failure): A pilot study

To determine the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial comparing a low-sodium to a moderate-sodium diet in heart failure (HF) patients. Patients with HF (New York Heart Association classes II-III) were randomized to low (1500 mg/d) or moderate-sodium (2300 mg/d) diet. Dietary intake was evaluated using 3-day food records. The end points were changes in quality of life as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels from baseline to 6 months of follow-up presented as medians [25th, 75th percentiles]. Thirty-eight patients were enrolled (19/group). After 6 months, median sodium intake declined from 2137 to 1398 mg/d in the low-sodium and from 2678 to 1461 mg/d in the moderate-sodium diet group. Median BNP levels in the low-sodium diet group declined (216-71 pg/mL, P = .006), whereas in the moderate-sodium diet group, there was no change in BNP (171-188 pg/mL, P = .7; P = .17 between groups). For 6 months, median KCCQ clinical score increased in both groups (63-75 [P = .006] in the low-sodium diet group and 66-73 [P = .07] in the moderate-sodium group; P = .4 between groups). At 6 months, a post hoc analysis based on the dietary sodium intake achieved (> or ≤ 1,500 mg/d) in all patients showed an association between a sodium intake ≤ 1,500 mg/d and improvement in BNP levels and KCCQ scores. A dietary intervention restricting sodium intake was feasible, and achievement of this sodium goal was associated with lower BNP levels and improved quality of life in patients with HF.

Extravascular Lung Water, B-Type Natriuretic Peptide, and Blood Volume Contraction Enable Diagnosis of Weaning-Induced Pulmonary Edema*

We tested whether the changes in extravascular lung water indexed for ideal body weight could detect weaning-induced pulmonary edema. We also studied the diagnostic value of blood volume contraction indices and B-type natriuretic peptide variations. Prospective study. Twenty-one patients who failed a first spontaneous breathing trial. None. We performed a second 60-minute T-tube spontaneous breathing trial. Before and at the end of spontaneous breathing trial, we recorded pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, the extravascular lung water indexed for ideal body weight, plasma B-type natriuretic peptide level, hemoglobin, and plasma protein concentrations. Weaning-induced pulmonary edema was defined by the association of signs of clinical intolerance and a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure greater than or equal to 18 mm Hg at the end of spontaneous breathing trial. Because some patients performed several spontaneous breathing trial, a primary analysis included all spontaneous breathing trial and a secondary analysis included only the first spontaneous breathing trial of each patient. In primary analysis, 36 spontaneous breathing trials were analyzed, 21 spontaneous breathing trial with weaning-induced pulmonary edema and 15 without. During spontaneous breathing trial, extravascular lung water indexed for ideal body weight increased only in cases with weaning-induced pulmonary edema (25% ± 23%). Plasma protein concentration, hemoglobin concentration, and B-type natriuretic peptide also significantly increased only in cases with weaning-induced pulmonary edema (9% ± 3%, 9% ± 4%, 21% ± 23%, respectively). The areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves to detect weaning-induced pulmonary edema were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.78-0.99) for extravascular lung water indexed for ideal body weight, 0.97 (0.93-1.01) for spontaneous breathing trial-induced changes in plasma protein concentration, 0.96 (0.90-1.01) for changes in hemoglobin concentration, and 0.76 (0.60-0.93) for changes in B-type natriuretic peptide. An increase in extravascular lung water indexed for ideal body weight greater than or equal to 14% diagnosed weaning-induced pulmonary edema with a sensitivity of 67% (95% CI, 43-85%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 78-100%). The secondary analysis confirmed these results. Spontaneous breathing trial-induced increases in extravascular lung water indexed for ideal body weight, plasma protein concentrations, hemoglobin concentration, and B-type natriuretic peptide are reliable alternatives to the pulmonary artery catheter for diagnosing weaning-induced pulmonary edema.

Does B-type natriuretic peptide-guided therapy improve outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the management of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) was uncertain. The aim of this meta-analysis was to comprehensively evaluate the effect of BNP-guided therapy in CHF. Relevant randomized controlled trials were identified by searching of Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases. Fixed or randomized effect models were applied to combine the data according to the heterogeneity of the included studies. Fourteen studies with 3,004 CHF patients were included. Results of our meta-analyses suggested that compared with clinical group, BNP-guided treatment significantly decreased the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization (RR 0.79, 95 % CI 0.63-0.98, p = 0.03), although did not significantly affect the risk of all-cause mortality (RR 0.94, 95 % CI 0.81-1.08, p = 0.39) or all-cause hospitalization (RR 0.97, 95 % CI 0.89-1.07, p = 0.56). Furthermore, between-group BNP changes seemed to be a significant modifier to the effects of BNP-guided therapy on clinical outcomes, and BNP-guided therapy may improve the clinical outcomes of CHF patients if substantial reduction of BNP can be achieved. In addition, BNP-guided therapy was not associated with increased risk for serious adverse events. BNP-guided therapy may improve the clinical outcomes of CHF patients if substantial reduction of BNP can be achieved. BNP-guided therapy seemed to be safe and promising for CHF patients, and future studies with well-designed BNP-guided medication up-titration strategies are needed to confirm these results.