Changes in NT-proBNP in young children with congenital heart malformations.
OBJECTIVE
We measured serum NT-proBNP levels in 2 groups of young patients (0-36 months) with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to congenital heart malformations (CHM).


METHODS
The first group included 23 patients prior to surgery for heart malformations. The second group included 12 patients with CHM within 24 hours post-operation. NT-proBNP levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay (ELISA) using the Chem Well 2910 (Awareness Technology Inc.) automated analyzer.


RESULTS
NT-proBNP values were 4 times higher in patients with unoperated CHM compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001), and 12 times higher in patients with CHM 24 hours after surgery compared to controls (P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrated significant changes in NT-proBNP concentrations before and after surgery to correct congenital heart malformations.
Angela
A
Butnariu
Mihaela
M
Iancu
Gabriel
G
Samaşca
Manuel
M
Chira
Iulia
I
Lupan
D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain