title: Cardiac biomarkers and survival in haemodialysis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In dialysis patients, cardiac troponin T (cTNT) is often elevated despite the absence of acute myocardial ischaemia, and amino-terminal pro-B-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is markedly higher compared to non-haemodialysis patients. In a longitudinal observation, we evaluated the association of cTNT and NT-proBNP on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in haemodialysis patients with and without fluid overload.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma cTNT levels of 134 haemodialysis patients were measured before and after a dialysis session by 3rd generation electro-chemoluminiscence immunoassay. NT-proBNP was determined using a polyclonal antibody recognizing the N-terminal fragment of BNP (Elecsys autoanalyzer 2010, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Volume status was determined by a clinical score system. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were assessed over a follow-up period of 36 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma cTNT > 0.03 ng mL(-1) was found in 39.6% of all patients. Patients with hypervolaemia had significantly higher cTNT levels compared to euvolaemic patients (median 0.054 ng mL(-1), interquartile range 0.019-0.153 vs. 0.005 ng mL(-1), < 0.001-0.034; P < 0.001). All haemodialysis patients had excessively high levels of NT-proBNP (median 4524; interquartile range 2000-10 250 pg mL(-1)), and NT-proBNP was significantly higher in hypervolaemic haemodialysis patients (11 988, 5307-19 242) compared to euvolaemic haemodialysis patients (3247, 1619-5574); P < 0.001. Receiver operator curves showed a threshold of cTNT > 0.026 ng mL(-1) and NT-proBNP > 5300 pg mL(-1) as predictors of hypervolaemia. Asymptomatic chronic haemodialysis patients with cTNT > 0.026 ng mL(-1) and NT-proBNP > 5300 pg mL(-1) were more likely to die due to cardiac events in the follow-up period. Multivariate analysis documented that elevated cTNT and NT-proBNP levels were highly predictive for cardiovascular events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma levels of cTNT are elevated in approximately 40% and NT-proBNP levels in 100% of asymptomatic chronic haemodialysis patients. Both parameters depend on volume status. Increased NT-proBNP and cTNT are strongly associated with adverse outcome in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing haemodialysis, and are a useful tool for risk stratification in chronic haemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. claudia.sommerer@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sommerer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beimler
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schwenger
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heckele
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Katus
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannitsis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D020107:Troponin T / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020107:Troponin T; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain