title: N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide and the evaluation of cardiac dysfunction and severity of disease in cirrhotic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiac dysfunction and hyperdynamic systemic circulation may be present in patients with cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to identify relations between plasma levels of N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), reflecting early ventricular dysfunction, and the severity of liver disease and cardiac dysfunction in cirrhotic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three cirrhotic patients and 15 controls (group 1) were enrolled in this study. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP were determined in echocardiographically examined patients, which were allocated to 1 of 3 groups according to Child-Pugh classification or into 2 groups, i.e., a compensated group without ascites (group 2) and decompensated group with ascites (group 3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients (groups 2 and 3) than in age-matched controls (155.9 and 198.3 vs. 40.3 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). NT-proBNP levels were significantly increased in Child class C patients than in classes B and A (250.0 vs. 168.6 and 119.6 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). Left atrial dimension, wall thickness of left ventricle, and EF or E/E' were significantly increased, and EDT was prolonged in cirrhotic patients than in controls. Increased LVMI and decreased E/A ratio were noted in the group of patients with ascites as compared with the other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma NT-proBNP levels were high in cirrhotic patients and are likely to be related to the severity of disease. Advanced cirrhosis is associated with advanced cardiac dysfunction, and NT-proBNP levels has predictive value for concomitant cardiac dysfunction and cirrhosis progression.
authors: Department of Radiology, Eulji Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jeong Joo
authors: JJ
authors: Woo
authors: Young Youp
authors: YY
authors: Koh
authors: Hee Joong
authors: HJ
authors: Kim
authors: Joong Wha
authors: JW
authors: Chung
authors: Kyoung Sig
authors: KS
authors: Chang
authors: Soon Pyo
authors: SP
authors: Hong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain