Aortic Stiffness and Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide Predicts Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Epicardial fat, a metabolically active tissue, has emerged as a risk factor and active player in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. We investigated epicardial fat thickness in patients who had sustained an acute ischemic stroke, and we evaluated the relationship of epicardial fat thickness with other prognostic factors. We enrolled 61 consecutive patients (age, ≥18 yr) who had sustained a first acute ischemic stroke and had been admitted to our hospital within 24 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. The control group comprised 82 consecutive sex- and age-matched patients free of past or current stroke who had been admitted to our cardiology clinics. Blood samples were taken for measurement of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels at admission. Aortic stiffness indices and epicardial fat thickness were measured by means of transthoracic echocardiography within the first 48 hours. In comparison with the control group, the patients with acute ischemic stroke had significantly higher epicardial fat thickness (4.8 ± 0.9 vs 3.8 ± 0.7 mm; P <0.001), lower aortic distensibility (2.5 ± 0.8 vs 3.4 ± 0.9 cm2·dyn−1; P <0.001) and lower aortic strain (5.5% ± 1.9% vs 6.4% ± 1.8%; P=0.003). We found a significant association between epicardial fat thickness, NT-proBNP levels, and arterial dysfunction in patients who had sustained acute ischemic stroke. Increased epicardial fat thickness might be a novel risk factor and might enable evaluation of subclinical target-organ damage in these patients.

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Elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels predict left atrial appendage dysfunction in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Journal of Cardiology ◽

10.1016/j.jjcc.2012.02.010 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 126-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Harutoshi Tamura ◽

Tetsu Watanabe ◽

Satoshi Nishiyama ◽

Shintaro Sasaki ◽

Masahiro Wanezaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Brain Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Left Atrial Appendage ◽

Atrial Appendage ◽

Elevated Plasma ◽

Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide

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Serial Measurements of N-Terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide after Acute Ischemic Stroke

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000094997 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 22 (5-6) ◽

pp. 439-444 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

J.K. Jensen ◽

H. Mickley ◽

S. Bak ◽

L. Korsholm ◽

S.R. Kristensen

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Brain Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Serial Measurements

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Determinants of plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide after acute ischemic stroke or TIA

Journal of the Neurological Sciences ◽

10.1016/j.jns.2007.04.018 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 260 (1-2) ◽

pp. 139-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Emanuele Di Angelantonio ◽

Stefano De Castro ◽

Danilo Toni ◽

Maria Luisa Sacchetti ◽

Francesco Biraschi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Brain Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Plasma Levels

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Brain Natriuretic Peptide is a Predictor of Cardiac Thrombus in Critically Ill Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2020.4441 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (B) ◽

pp. 119-124

Author(s):

Hossam A. Mowafy ◽

Hossam El Sherif ◽

Khaled A. Wahab ◽

Nora I. Abbas ◽

Gihan El Hilaly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Brain Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Significant Positive Correlation ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

International Normalized Ratio ◽

Diagnostic Biomarker ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Cardiac Thrombus

CONTEXT: Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are elevated in patients with acute ischemic stroke, particularly when accompanied by atrial fibrillation (AF). Plasma BNP might be a useful marker of vulnerability to thromboembolism in non-valvular AF patients. AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess whether the BNP level can serve as a biomarker of the left atrial (LA) thrombus in AF patients with acute ischemic stroke. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a multicenter prospective cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty AF patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the study. Their transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and BNP were assessed. RESULTS: There was a positive significant relation between serum BNP levels and LA thrombus detection by TEE. BNP with a cutoff value >498 pg/l can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for the presence of the LA thrombus. A significant positive correlation existed between serum BNP and LA diameter. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation between serum BNP and AF rate and duration was found in all patients. In addition, a statistically significant inverse correlation was detected between serum BNP and direct bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and albumin. A statistically significant positive correlation existed between serum BNP and prothrombin concentration. CONCLUSION: BNP can be a good diagnostic biomarker for the detection of the LA thrombus in chronic AF patients with acute ischemic stroke.

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