title: Bradycardia can induce increased serum natriuretic peptide-level.
abstract: Here we report a case of an elderly woman whose antihypertensive beta-blocker therapy induced sinus arrest with a 40 bpm junctional escape rhythm. Although there was no sign of heart failure during bradycardia, a highly elevated amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) serum level was detected. Cessation of the beta-blocker agent resulted in normal sinus rhythm and a rapid fall in the NT-proBNP serum level. As a rare phenomenon, bradycardia-related cardiomyopathy is discussed.
authors.forename: Tímea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kováts
authors.forename: András
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wettstein
authors.forename: Erzsébet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: János
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tomcsányi
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain