title: Relationship between pericardial fluid B-type natriuretic peptide and ventricular structure and function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We undertook this study to investigate the levels of pericardial B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its relationship with ventricular structure and function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pericardial and plasma BNP concentrations were measured in 18 patients with congenital ventricular septal defect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean level of BNP in the pericardial fluid (324.8+/-137.3 pg/mL) was higher than the plasma (20.8+/-6.1 pg/mL) (p=0.03). Pericardial BNP was correlated with the plasma BNP (r=0.85, p<0.01). A good correlation was also found between the pericardial BNP and left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular diameter and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The levels of BNP in pericardial fluid were higher than in the plasma. Similar to plasma BNP, pericardial BNP is also related to the ventricular structure and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Lishui City Central Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui, the People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tie-Min
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Le-Xin
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016276:Ventricular Function
chemical_list: D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain