title: Plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide in children and adolescents with high degree atrioventricular block.
abstract: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured in 43 children and adolescents with high-grade second degree or complete atrioventricular conduction block. BNP plasma level was significantly higher (p<0.01) in patients without pacemaker (n=21) than in patients with permanent pacemaker (n=26). In all four patients with measurement of BNP both before and after placement of a permanent pacemaker, individual plasma BNP decreased. Additionally, patients with dual-chamber pacing had significantly lower BNP values compared to those with single chamber ventricular pacing (p<0.05). Conclusively, high degree atrioventricular block can induce elevated plasma BNP levels and the loss of atrioventricular synchrony induce a further increase of plasma BNP.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zink
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dittrich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain