Amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
Amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is synthesized in cardiac ventricles in response to volume expansion. This study evaluated NT-proBNP levels to determine the clinical correlation with the severity of hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy.


METHODS
NT-proBNP levels of 95 pregnant women (severe preeclampsia [n = 26], mild preeclampsia [n = 15], gestational hypertension [n = 9], and healthy controls [n = 45]) were determined using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.


RESULTS
Comparisons of the mean values of NT-proBNP levels in the different groups were significantly different, as follows: 1766.43 ± 4197.39 pg/mL (median, 339.8 pg/mL) in severe preeclampsia, 214.97 ± 226.35 pg/mL (median, 152.3 pg/mL) in mild preeclampsia, 39.75 ± 24.85 pg/mL (median, 34.09 pg/mL) in gestational hypertension, and 78.78 ± 81.56 pg/mL (median, 48.54 pg/mL) in the healthy controls. The NT-proBNP levels of the patients with mild and severe preeclampsia were significantly higher than in the patients with gestational hypertension and the healthy control patients. There was no significant difference in NT-proBNP levels between patients with mild and severe preeclampsia (p = 0.17).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with mild and severe preeclampsia, NT-proBNP levels were elevated. This may reflect ventricular stress and/or subclinical cardiac dysfunction associated with preeclampsia.
Seong
Won Joon
WJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
Kim
Seung Chan
SC
Hong
Dae Gy
DG
Koo
Tae Bon
TB
Park
Il Soo
IS
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain