title: Endothelin-1 and brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels decrease after aortic surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been reported to be involved in numerous cardiovascular diseases. The study aim was to monitor the circulating plasma levels of these peptides in patients affected by aortic disease, and to identify any changes in such levels after surgical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 81 patients (52 males, 29 females; mean age 64 +/- 11 years) with aortic disease underwent surgery. The conditions included aortic valve stenosis (n=36), aortic valve regurgitation (n=11), ascending aortic aneurysm (n=6), and combined ascending aortic aneurysm and valvulopathy (n=28). Circulating plasma levels of ET-1 and BNP were measured in all patients before and at 12 months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the preoperative situation, significant decreases were found postoperatively in plasma levels of ET-1 (4.2 +/- 0.1 versus 3.1 +/- 0.1 pM; p < 0.001) and BNP (0.071 versus 0.017 ng/ml; p < 0.001), combined with an increased cardiac function and decreased ventricular dimensions. The preoperative levels of both peptides were similar in all patient groups, and were decreased to a similar extent regardless of the diagnosis. Basal levels of ET-1 were higher in the trileaflet aortic valve compared to the bicuspid valve (4.0 +/- 0.1 versus 3.6 +/- 0.1 pM; p = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating plasma levels of ET-1 and BNP were decreased after surgery for aortic valve disease. The decrease was unrelated to the presence of ascending aortic aneurysm, and most likely represents a response to cardiac remodeling and the improved functional status of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano (MI), Italy. giuseppe.raffa78@gmail.com
authors.forename: Giuseppe M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Raffa
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liska
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Caidahl
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco-Cereceda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019332:Endothelin-1; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain