Brain natriuretic peptide and left ventricular dysfunction in Chagas' disease.
Left ventricular dysfunction in Chagas' disease is common but can be difficult to detect. We investigated whether measurement of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) could identify patients with left ventricular dysfunction who need further investigation or treatment. Among patients with an abnormal electrocardiogram or chest radiograph, a BNP concentration of 60.7 pmol/L or higher has a sensitivity and positive predictive value of 80%, and specificity and negative predictive value of 97%. Measurement of plasma BNP concentration could be a useful method to screen patients with Chagas' disease.
Ribeiro
Antonio Luiz P
AL
Postgraduate Course of Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. tom@hc.ufmb.br
dos Reis
Adelina Martha
AM
Barros
Marcio Vinicius L
MV
de Sousa
Marcos Roberto
MR
Rocha
Ana Luiza L
AL
Perez
Amanda Arantes
AA
Pereira
Jacqueline Braga
JB
Machado
Fernando Santana
FS
Rocha
Manoel Otávio C
MO
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain