title: [Prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide in people with viral myocarditis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on prognostic value in patients with viral myocarditis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 48 patients with viral myocarditis and 42 healthy people were enrolled and followed up for two years. The NYHA class and LVEF were recorded and the concentration of BNP were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentration of BNP were higher and EF were lower in patients with viral myocarditis (P < 0.01) than contrast people. Higher levels of plasma BNP were related to higher mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levels of brain natriuretic peptide measured in the plasma could be a useful biochemical marker for the myocarditis, and high concentration of BNP may correlate with poor prognosis in patients with myocarditis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department of First Affiliated Hospital to PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China. zhang_c_h700@sohu.com
authors.forename: Chun-Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Hong-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Li-Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yong-Jiang
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Dang-Sheng
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain