Brain natriuretic peptide can be a useful biochemical marker for myocarditis in patients with Kawasaki disease.
So as to determine the value of brain natriuretic peptide in the plasma as a biochemical marker for myocarditis of Kawasaki disease, we studied 69 patients. The blood samples, electrocardiograms and cross-sectional echocardiograms were obtained before the commencement of treatment and in the convalescent phase.


RESULTS
The mean concentration of brain natriuretic peptide in the plasma was 73.2 +/- 107.7 (mean +/- SD) pg/ml in the acute phase, and 7.9 +/- 7.5 pg/ml in the convalescent phase. We checked the electrocardiograms to find abnormal Q waves, elevation or depression of the ST segments, change in the pattern of the QRS complexes, and flattening or inversion of the T wave, all believed to be markers of myocarditis in Kawasaki disease. Those in whom the concentrations were greater than 50 pg/ml in the acute phase showed abnormal electrocardiograms more frequently than did those in whom the values were less than 50 pg/ml (21/29 vs 3/40, p < 0.0001 odds ratio 32.4). Amplitudes of the T wave in standard limb leads were measured both in the acute and convalescent phases, and the differences calculated. We regarded the sum total of these differences as representing "flattening T wave", and we named this variable as the total suppressed T wave voltage. We examined the correlation between the variable and the levels of brain natriuretic peptide in the plasma during the acute phase, demonstrating a significant correlation (r = 0.500, p < 0.0001). We conclude, therefore, that the concentration of brain natriuretic peptide measured in the plasma can be a useful biochemical marker for the myocarditis of Kawasaki disease. When the titer is over 50 pg/ml, the patient probably has an abnormal electrocardiogram and is most likely to have myocarditis.
Kawamura
Takashi
T
Department of Pediatrics, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Japan. child@asa-hosp.city.hiroshima.jp
Wago
Masakuni
M
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain