title: NT-proBNP can be used to detect right ventricular systolic dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: Right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) at baseline (pre-treatment) predicts early death in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, RVSD can only be detected reliably by prohibitively invasive or expensive techniques. N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide concentration ([NT-proBNP]) correlates with RV function in PH; however, an [NT-proBNP] threshold that indicates RVSD in individual patients has not previously been determined. Twenty-five patients with PH (pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 19) or chronic thromboembolic PH (n = 6)) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and NT-proBNP measurement at baseline. [NT-proBNP] was correlated against RV dimensions and ejection fraction (RVEF) measured directly by CMR imaging. The ability of NT-proBNP to detect RVSD (defined as a CMR-derived RVEF >2 SDS below control values) was tested and predictors of [NT-proBNP] identified. [NT-proBNP] correlated negatively with RVEF. RVSD was present in nine out of 25 patients. An [NT-proBNP] threshold of 1,685 pg.mL(-1) was sensitive (100%) and specific (94%) in detecting RVSD. RVEF and RV mass index independently predicted [NT-proBNP]. In pulmonary hypertension, a baseline N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide concentration of >1,685 ng.L(-1) suggests right ventricular systolic dysfunction, and thus an increased risk of early death. N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide could prove useful as an objective, noninvasive means of identifying patients with pulmonary hypertension who have right ventricular systolic dysfunction at presentation.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Pulmonary Vascular Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK.
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Blyth
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Groenning
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Mark
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Steedman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Dargie
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Peacock
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D017380:Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000473:pathology; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain