title: Natriuretic peptides and hemodynamics in preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between natriuretic peptides (NT-proANP and NT-proBNP) and hemodynamic parameters in preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of 19 preeclamptic, 15 chronic hypertensive, and 26 normotensive women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Stroke index (SI), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and left cardiac work index (LCWI) were derived by whole-body impedance cardiography. Systolic blood pressure (SAP), diastolic blood pressure (DAP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. The plasma levels of NT-proANP and NT-proBNP were determined with radioimmunoassays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NT-proANP and NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in preeclamptic women compared to chronic hypertensive and normotensive pregnancies. Preeclamptic women had lower CI and HR and higher SAP, MAP, and SVRI than the control groups. In preeclampsia NT-proANP correlated significantly with SAP and SVRI; meanwhile, NT-proBNP correlated significantly with SVRI and CI. These correlations persisted in the subgroup of nonmedicated preeclamptic women, except in the case of NT-proBNP and CI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High NT-proANP and NT-proBNP concentrations in preeclampsia reflect the strain on the heart caused by high afterload, rather than the function of the heart expressed as SI or CI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. kati.tihtonen@pshp.fi
authors.forename: Kati M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Tihtonen
authors.forename: Tiit
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kööbi
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vuolteenaho
authors.forename: Heini S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Huhtala
authors.forename: Jukka T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Uotila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor