New insight into the role of NT-proBNP in alcoholic liver cirrhosis as a noninvasive marker of esophageal varices.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and formation of esophageal varices.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with alcoholic cirrhosis were divided into three groups according to the Child-Pugh classification: grade A (n=11, 32%), B (n=12, 34%), and C (n=12, 34%). System hemodynamic parameters were measured using sphygmomanometry, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. NT-proBNP was analyzed by using an electrochemiluminiscence sandwich immunoassay.


RESULTS
The presence of esophageal varices was associated with a higher serum NT-proBNP level, with a cut-off value of <101 pg/mL (sensitivity, 87.60% and specificity, 72.73%; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
NT-proBNP was found to be a marker of the presence of esophageal varices, but not a marker of progression of liver cirrhosis. In cirrhotic patients, NT-proBNP value <101 pg/mL was shown to be a valuable noninvasive parameter in predicting the presence of varices.
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital, Vinogradska ulica 29, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. neven.ljubicic@kbcsm.hr
Neven
N
Ljubicić
Marija
M
Gomercić
Drazen
D
Zekanović
Tomislava
T
Bodrozić-Dzakić
Ana
A
Duzel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain