title: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and aortic diameters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women with X-chromosome monosomy or Turner syndrome (TS) are at increased risk for aortic dilation and dissection. To better understand the pathology and develop tools to monitor the risk of aortic disease, we investigated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (NT-proBNP) levels in women with TS and healthy female controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated NT-proBNP levels in women with karyotype-proven TS and healthy female volunteers in relation to ascending aortic diameter and descending aortic diameter measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NT-proBNP levels were strongly and positively correlated with ascending aortic diameter and descending aortic diameter in both cohorts. The TS group (n = 114, age 37.4 ± 12 yr) had greater body surface area-indexed aortic diameters and higher NT-proBNP levels than the control group (n = 27, age 46.4 ± 11 years): 88.3 ± 62.7 versus 53.5 ± 35 pg/mL, P = .0003. Within the TS group, NT-proBNP levels were higher in those with dilated ascending aorta (n = 42, 112.4 ± 75.7 pg/mL) compared with those with normal aortic dimensions (n = 72, 74.2 ± 49 pg/mL, P = .0014). Abnormally high NT-pro BNP levels were seen in 3 of 4 TS women who presented with previously undetected aortic aneurysm and/or dissection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NT-proBNP levels are positively associated with aortic diameters in women with and without TS, suggesting a role for BNP in arterial wall homeostasis. Further study is necessary to determine whether NT-proBNP measurement may be used to monitor aortic diameter and/or detect aortic pathology in individuals at risk for aortic disease.
authors.affiliation: Section on Epigenetics and Development, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Liat S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Gutin
authors.forename: Vladimir K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Bakalov
authors.forename: Douglas R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Rosing
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gharib
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bondy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D014424:Turner Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain