title: Brain natriuretic peptide and NT-proBNP levels reflect pulmonary artery systolic pressure in trekkers at high altitude.
abstract: Our objective was to evaluate the utility of the natriuretic peptides BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) and NT-proBNP as markers of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) in trekkers ascending to high altitude (HA). 20 participants had BNP and NT-proBNP assayed and simultaneous echocardiographic assessment of PASP performed during a trek to 5150 m. PASP increased significantly (p=0.006) with ascent from 24+/-4 to 39+/-11 mm Hg at 5150 m. At 5150 m those with a PASP>/=40 mm Hg (n=8) (versus those with PASP<40 mm Hg) had higher post-exercise BNP (pg/ml): 54.5+/-36 vs. 13.4+/-17 (p=0.012). Their resting BNP at 5150 m was also higher: 57.3+/-43.4 vs. 12.6+/-13 (p=0.017). In those with a pathological (>/=400 pg/ml) rise in NT-proBNP at 5150 m (n=4) PASP was significantly higher: 45.9+/-7.5 vs. 32.2+/-6.2 mm Hg (p=0.015). BNP and NT-proBNP may reflect elevated PASP, a central feature of high altitude pulmonary oedema, at HA.
authors.affiliation: Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. DoctorDRWoods@aol.com.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mellor
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Begley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stacey
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yarker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Foxen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology*; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain