NT-proBNP is increased in healthy pregnancies compared to non-pregnant controls.
Serum concentrations of the amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may be used to monitor cardiac function during pregnancy but normal values are not established for this purpose. Therefore, we investigated NT-proBNP in normotensive healthy pregnancies compared to a non-pregnant control group. Serum NT-proBNP was measured in 94 normotensive, healthy pregnant women (32+/-6 years) every five weeks beginning from 12th gestational week (GW) in a longitudinal study and compared to a non-pregnant control group of 521 women (32+/-7 years). Pooled median serum NT-proBNP levels (25th; 75th percentile) were significantly higher in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women (56 (33; 95) pg/ml vs. 38 (22; 62) pg/ml (p<0.001)). NT-proBNP increased during pregnancy to 73 (51; 124) pg/ml in the 11+6 to 15+6 GW (p<0.001). However, NT-proBNP levels from 23+0 GW towards term were comparable to non-pregnant controls. NT-proBNP is significantly elevated in healthy pregnancies until mid-pregnancy. As preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are associated with increased NT-proBNP, our results have to be considered in future diagnostic approaches using NT-proBNP for these pathologic conditions.
Franz
Maximilian B
MB
1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Andreas
Martin
M
Schiessl
Barbara
B
Zeisler
Harald
H
Neubauer
Anna
A
Kastl
Stefan P
SP
Hess
Georg
G
Rhomberg
Franziska
F
Zdunek
Dietmar
D
Maurer
Gerald
G
Schlembach
Dietmar
D
Heinze
Georg
G
Szekeres
Thomas
T
Gottsauner-Wolf
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values
D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain