Natriuretic Peptide, Brain

ABCHF

Review Article

Treatment of Heart Failure Based on Natriuretic Peptide Levels: A Question That Has Yet to be Solved?

Carlos Eduardo Lucena Montenegro et al. Taciana Queiroz Medeiros Gomes Ana Carla Alves de Souza Lyra Joyce Santana do Nascimento Luana do Amaral Dias

Trials in chronic HF

Several studies have addressed the hypothesis that therapy guided by BNP or NT-proBNP would improve clinical outcomes in chronic HF.^– Even though some of these studies demonstrated a reduction in clinical events, none of them, taken alone, was adequately powered to test the effect of this strategy on all-cause mortality.

One of the first published studies addressing this issue, published in 2000, was promising, suggesting a benefit in terms of mortality and hospitalization due to HF. Troughton et al. demonstrated a reduction in total cardiovascular events (death, hospital admission, or decompensation of HF) (19 versus 54, p = 0.02), but their study had a small number of patients (69 patients) and a short-term follow-up.

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Original Article

Prognostic Value of Plasma NT-proBNP levels in Hospitalized Patients Older than 80 Years of Age in a Hospital in Beijing, China

Qiwei Zhu et al. Peng Gao Shihui Fu Hao Wang … Yongyi Bai Leiming Luo Ping Ye

Abstract

Background

Despite growing evidence that N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has an important prognostic value in older adults, there is limited data on its prognostic predictive value.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of NT-proBNP in hospitalized patients older than 80 years of age in Beijing, China.

Methods

This prospective, observational study was conducted in 724 very elderly patients in a geriatric ward (age ≥80 years, range, 80100 years, mean, 86.6 3.0 years). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to screen for factors independently associated with NT-proBNP, and the Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to screen for relationships between NT-proBNP levels and major endpoints. The major endpoints assessed were all-cause death and MACEs. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence rates of coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were 81.4%, 75.1%, and 41.2%, respectively. The mean NT-proBNP level was 770 ± 818 pg/mL. Using multivariate linear regression analyses, correlations were found between plasma NT-proBNP and body mass index, atrial fibrillation, estimated glomerular filtration rate, left atrial diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, use of betablocker, levels of hemoglobin, plasma albumin, triglycerides, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. The risk of all-cause death (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.0052.642; P = 0.04) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.2893.531; P = 0.04) in the group with the highest NT-proBNP level was significantly higher than that in the group with the lowest level, according to Cox regression models after adjusting for multiple factors. As expected, echocardiography parameters adjusted the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in the model.

Conclusions

NT-proBNP was identified as an independent predictor of all-cause death and MACE in hospitalized patients older than 80 years of age.

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Editorial

Can Long-Distance Walking alter Cardiac Biomarkers and Echocardiographic Variables Related to Diastolic Function?

Leandro Franzoni

Walking is one of the most practiced physical activities worldwide. It is also included in physical exercise programs aiming at improving the health-related parameters in different populations.^, Therefore, the demand for amateur events encompassing walking has been increasing, especially those related to nature and the culture of a specific region. One of the best known amateur events in the world that involves walking is the “Camino de Santiago de la Compostela”. Moreover, here in Brazil, we have the “Rota das Missões”, located in the south of the country. The trajectories can have different distances, reaching nearly 40km of walking on the same day. These are two examples of activities that involve walking and add a cultural experience to the event.

In addition to the two abovementioned events, there are long-distance ecological hikes, where participants experience direct contact with nature, going through different terrain characteristics on the same day, reaching a total walking distance of up to 250 km during a 4-day event. We know that each individual responds differently to a certain stimulus; however, walking more than 50 km in one day going up and down slopes, on rough terrain, can have a negative physiological impact on any individual who undergoes this type of modality. In addition to the physiological damage, we are also concerned with the impact on the cardiovascular system in relation to the volume and intensity of this type of modality.^,

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Original Article

Diastolic Function and Biomarkers of Long-Distance Walking Participants

Maicon Borges Euzebio et al. Priscila Valverde de O. Vitorino Watila Moura Sousa Milena Andrade Melo … Sérgio Henrique Nascente Costa Ana Luiza Lima Sousa Thiago de Souza Veiga Jardim Ana Carolina Arantes Paulo Cesar B. Veiga Jardim Weimar Kunz Sebba Barroso

Abstract

Background:

The effects of long-distance walking on the cardiovascular system have been little studied.

Objectives:

The general objective of this study was to verify these effects on the behavior of diastolic function and the cardiac biomarkers CK-MB (mass), troponin T, and NT-proBNP, in amateur athletes.

Method:

This longitudinal study, conducted in 2015, evaluated participants during the following 5 stages: E0 (baseline) before starting the trajectory and the others, E1, E2, E3, and E4, at the end of each day, totaling 244.7 km. At all stages, the biomarkers NT-proBNP, CK-MB (mass), and troponin T were measured. Echocardiogram was performed to analyze the E, A and E’ waves. P < 0.05 was adopted as significant.

Results:

The study evaluated 25 participants, with an average age of 46 ± 10.5 years and body mass index of 20.2 ± 2.3 kg/m2. Increased values were found for NT-proBNP from E0 to E1, E2, E3, and E4 (p < 0.001), CK-MB (mass) from E0 to E2 (p < 0.001), and E' wave from E0 to E1, E2, E3, and E4 (p < 0.001). Positive correlations were identified between the following: CK-MB (mass) and troponin T (E1: r = 0.524, p = 0.010; E4: r = 0.413, p = 0.044); CK-MB (mass) and NT-proBNP (E4: r = 0.539, p = 0.006); and E/A and E' (E0: r = 0.603, p < 0.001; E1: r = 0.639, p < 0.001; E4: r = 0.593, p = 0.002). A negative correlation was found between CK-MB (mass) and E/A (E1: r = −0.428, p = 0.041).

Conclusion:

The effects of intense, prolonged, and interspersed physical activity were verified based on significant variations in the behavior of CK-MB (mass), NT-proBNP, and the E’ wave. Notwithstanding the alterations found, there were no criteria suggestive of myocardial damage

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Original Article

Prognostic Value of NT-proBNP versus Killip Classification in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

Thiago M. B. Souza et al. Antônio Maurício S. Cerqueira Jr. Jessica G. Suerdieck Nicole C. de Sá … Gabriella S. Sodré Vitor C. A. Correia Yasmin F. Lacerda Leticia L. Fonseca Marcia M. Noya-Rabelo Luis C. L. Correia

Abstract

Background:

Plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptides have better diagnostic accuracy compared to clinical-radiologic judgment for acute heart failure. In acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the prognostic value of acute heart failure is incorporated into predictive models through Killip classification. It is not established whether NT-proBNP could increment prognostic prediction.

Objective:

To evaluate whether NT-proBNP, as a measure of left ventricular dysfunction, improves the in-hospital prognostic value of the GRACE score in ACS.

Methods:

Patients admitted due to acute chest pain, with electrocardiogram and/or troponin criteria for ACS were included in the study. The plasma level of NT-proBNP was measured at hospital admission and the primary endpoint was defined as cardiovascular death during hospitalization. P-value < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results:

Among 352 patients studied, cardiovascular mortality was 4.8%. The predictive value of NT-proBNP for cardiovascular death was shown by a C-statistic of 0.78 (95% CI = 0.65-0.90). After adjustment for the GRACE model subtracted by Killip variable, NT-proBNP remained independently associated with cardiovascular death (p = 0.015). However, discrimination by the GRACE-BNP logistic model (C-statistics = 0.83; 95%CI = 0.69-0.97) was not superior to the traditional GRACE Score with Killip (C-statistic = 0.82; 95%CI = 0.68-0.97). The GRACE-BNP model did not provide improvement in the classification of patients to high risk by the GRACE Score (net reclassification index = – 0.15; p = 0.14).

Conclusion:

Despite the statistical association with cardiovascular death, there was no evidence that NT-proBNP increments the prognostic value of GRACE score in ACS.

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Original Article

Natriuretic Peptide and Clinical Evaluation in the Diagnosis of Heart Failure Hemodynamic Profile: Comparison with Tissue Doppler Echocardiography

Gustavo Luiz Gouvêa de Almeida Junior et al. Nadine Clausell Marcelo Iorio Garcia Roberto Esporcatte … Fernando Oswaldo Dias Rangel Ricardo Mourilhe Rocha Luis Beck-da-Silva Fabricio Braga da Silva Paula de Castro Carvalho Gorgulho Sergio Salles Xavier

Abstract

Background:

Physical examination and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been used to estimate hemodynamics and tailor therapy of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients. However, correlation between these parameters and left ventricular filling pressures is controversial.

Objective:

This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of physical examination, chest radiography (CR) and BNP in estimating left atrial pressure (LAP) as assessed by tissue Doppler echocardiogram.

Methods:

Patients admitted with ADHF were prospectively assessed. Diagnostic characteristics of physical signs of heart failure, CR and BNP in predicting elevation (> 15 mm Hg) of LAP, alone or combined, were calculated. Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation between non-normal distribution variables. The level of significance was 5%.

Results:

Forty-three patients were included, with mean age of 69.9 ± 11.1years, left ventricular ejection fraction of 25 ± 8.0%, and BNP of 1057 ± 1024.21 pg/mL. Individually, all clinical, CR or BNP parameters had a poor performance in predicting LAP ≥ 15 mm Hg. A clinical score of congestion had the poorest performance [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.53], followed by clinical score + CR (AUC 0.60), clinical score + CR + BNP > 400 pg/mL (AUC 0.62), and clinical score + CR + BNP > 1000 pg/mL (AUC 0.66).

Conclusion:

Physical examination, CR and BNP had a poor performance in predicting a LAP ≥ 15 mm Hg. Using these parameters alone or in combination may lead to inaccurate estimation of hemodynamics.

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Artigo Original

Correlation to NT-ProBNP and remodeling after cardiac surgery

Berta Paula Napchan Boer et al. Marcelo Luiz Campos Vieira Roney Orismar Sampaio Henry Abensur … Alessandra Gomes de Oliveira João Ricardo Fernandes Max Grinberg

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on diastolic function in patients with aortic stenosis (AOS) with indication of surgical treatment. A potential correlation between biomarkers and diastolic function has not been established. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate diastolic function in patients with AOS waiting for aortic valve replacement (AVR) echocardiographically, and to verify its correlation with serum brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). METHODS: Thirty-one AOS patients (11 male), 21 to 81 years old (mean age, 61±15 years old) were studied before and after AVR. Diastolic function was assessed with Doppler methods: transvalvar mitral flow, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and pulmonary venous Doppler (PVD), correlating with serum brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) before and 6 months after AVR. RESULTS: Comparing pre to post-operative period, we observed an increase of the left atrial ejection fraction and isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and the decrease of the mitral velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus ratio (E/E’), the difference between the pulmonary A wave duration and mitral A duration, left atrial systolic volume, left atrial systolic volume index, left ventricular diastolic diameter, left ventricular systolic diameter, end diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular mass index, left ventricular volume and mass index ratio. The values of NT-proBNP were positively correlated to diastolic dysfunction, both before and after surgery. CONCLUSION: AOS patients’ ventricular diastolic function improved after AVR. The biomarker NT-proBNP might be a useful biomarker of diastolic function in these patients, before and after AVR. NT-proBNP values show a positive correlation with echocardiographic variables that determine diastolic dysfunction, and is a good marker for the characterization of this dysfunction in AOS patients.

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