title: The relevance of brain natriuretic peptides investigation in various cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain natriuretic peptides are relevant markers of heart impairment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the relevance of investiging brain natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP, BNP) in monitoring different types of cardiovascular disease (chronic heart failure due to coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, acquired valve disease, congenital heart diseases).
  
  
  METHODS
  The NT-proBNP assay (Roche) was performed on 280 patients (mean age 49 years; range 20-89 years) and 48 healthy controls (mean age 43 years; range 13-65 years) and BNP assay (Bayer Shionoria) was performed in a subgroup of 42 patients (mean age 50 years; range 20-79 years). Patients were divided into four groups characterized by severity of heart failure according to the New York Heart Association classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NT-proBNP concentrations differed in patients with cardiovascular diseases from controls (median 371 ng/l versus 41.5 ng/l, p < 0.0001). The cut off value of NT-proBNP determined in 280 patients with cardiovascular diseases was at 130 ng/l (AUC-area under curve = 0.93; sensitivity 98 %; specificity 79 %). Comparison of NT-proBNP and BNP values in patients showed significant correlation (r = 0.93; p < 0.0001). NT-proBNP showed significant differences between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurement of brain natriuretic peptides is useful and relevant in various types of heart diseases including congenital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University, Faculty Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic. kotaska@email.cz
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kotaska
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Popelova
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiserova
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Telekes
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vrzanova
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bronsky
authors.forename: Milada
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halacova
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kukacka
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prusa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain