© 2008 European Society of Cardiology
B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with functionally univentricular hearts after total cavopulmonary connection
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Germany
* Corresponding author. Kinder- und Jugendklinik der Universität, Pädiatrische Kardiologie, Loschgestr. 15, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Tel.: +49 9131 853 3118; fax: +49 9131 853 5987. E-mail address: Andreas.Koch{at}kinder.imed.uni-erlangen.de (A.M.E. Koch).
 |
Abstract |
|---|
Aims: To assess plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with univentricular hearts late after volume unloading by total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).
Methods: Plasma BNP was measured by sandwich immunoassay in 67 patients after a modified Fontan procedure. BNP levels were compared with age and sex-specific normal values, clinical and echocardiographic data, and results of exercise testing.
Results: BNP had a wide range of 5–290 pg/ml, but was normal in 81% of patients, and median BNP was only 13pg/ml. There was no difference between males and females, between patients with left or right ventricular morphology, and no correlation was found between BNP and age, post-operative follow-up period, maximum exercise capability, peak oxygen uptake, or blood oxygen saturation. New York Heart Association class I patients had lower BNP than class II patients (p=0.04). Plasma BNP concentration was positively correlated to the number of specific sequelae (r=0.59, p<0.001), and to severity of atrioventricular regurgitation (r=0.38, p=0.002). 5/13 patients with elevated BNP died during follow-up.
Conclusion: BNP plasma concentration was normal in the majority of patients up to 15 years after TCPC. Elevated and increasing BNP levels were associated with increased morbidity and late mortality.
Key Words: BNP • Fontan • Sequelae • Total cavopulmonary anastomosis • Univentricular heart
Received September 12, 2007; Revised October 30, 2007; Accepted November 5, 2007
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  E. Lechner, E. M. Schreier-Lechner, A. Hofer, R. Gitter, R. Mair, A. Biebl, and G. Tulzer Aminoterminal brain-type natriuretic peptide levels correlate with heart failure in patients with bidirectional Glenn anastomosis and with morbidity after the Fontan operation J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., September 1, 2009; 138(3): 560 - 564. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. M.E. Koch Plasma Levels of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Children With Left-To-Right Shunt Before and After Cardiac Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., August 1, 2008; 86(2): 693 - 694. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|