scholarly journals B-Type Natriuretic Peptide as a Marker of Different Forms of Systemic Sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Stefanović Nešković ◽  
Anđelka Ristić ◽  
Milan Petronijević ◽  
Aleksandra Zeljković ◽  
Aleksandra Grdinić ◽  
...  

SummaryBackground:Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease which affects various tissues and organs, including skin, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. Cardiac involvement is the most commonly recognized problem and a significant cause of morbidity. The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a previously known marker of elevated cardiovascular risk in SSc, but the levels of BNP in various forms of SSc have not been investigated so far.Aim:The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of SSc on the function of the right ventricle and the right atrium using the echocardiographic parameters. Moreover, we examined the levels of BNP in different forms of SSc as well as the association of disease severity with the plasma concentrations of BNP.Methods:We included 42 patients with newly diagnosed SSc and patients whose disease had been diagnosed earlier. SSc patients and non-SSc control patients were examined by using echocardiography and the concentrations of BNP were determined.Results:We analyzed differences in the parameters of right ventricle (RV) function and right atrium (RA) function between SSc patients and healthy controls. The two groups had similar distribution of gender, but SSc patients were significantly older than controls. RV wall thickness was increased in SSc patients (p<0.001), while right ventricular end-systolic area (RVESA; p=0.408) and right ventricular end-diastolic area (RVEDA; p=0.368) did not differ among the examinees. In contrast, RA minor-axis dimension (p=0.001) and the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (p=0.001) were significantly higher in SSc patients. Also, we analyzed differences in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations between diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (DSSc) and limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (LSSc) patients. DSSc patients had significantly higher concentrations of BNP. We found that levels of BNP were in significant positive correlations with age (p=0.007), disease duration (p=0.023), C reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.032), right ventricle fractional area change (FAC) (p=0.022), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and Rodnan score (p=0.019).Conclusions:Given the obtained results, the laboratory determination of BNP could be useful in differentiating different forms of systemic sclerosis as well as in predicting the severity of the disease and future cardiovascular complications.

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Mir ◽  
Jan Falkenberg ◽  
Bernd Friedrich ◽  
Urda Gottschalk ◽  
Throng Phi Lê ◽  
...  

Objective:To evaluate the role of the concentration of brain natriuretic peptide in the plasma, and its correlation with haemodynamic right ventricular parameters, in children with overload of the right ventricle due to congenital cardiac disease.Methods:We studied 31 children, with a mean age of 4.8 years, with volume or pressure overload of the right ventricle caused by congenital cardiac disease. Of the patients, 19 had undergone surgical biventricular correction of tetralogy of Fallot, 11 with pulmonary stenosis and 8 with pulmonary atresia, and 12 patients were studied prior to operations, 7 with atrial septal defects and 5 with anomalous pulmonary venous connections. We measured brain natriuretic peptide using Triage®, from Biosite, United States of America. We determined end-diastolic pressures of the right ventricle, and the peak ratio of right to left ventricular pressures, by cardiac catheterization and correlated them with concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide in the plasma.Results:The mean concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide were 87.7, with a range from 5 to 316, picograms per millilitre. Mean end-diastolic pressure in the right ventricle was 5.6, with a range from 2 to 10, millimetres of mercury, and the mean ratio of right to left ventricular pressure was 0.56, with a range from 0.24 to 1.03. There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide and the ratio of right to left ventricular pressure (r equal to 0.7844, p less than 0.0001) in all patients. These positive correlations remained when the children with tetralogy of Fallot, and those with atrial septal defects or anomalous pulmonary venous connection, were analysed as separate groups. We also found a weak correlation was shown between end-diastolic right ventricular pressure and concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide in the plasma (r equal to 0.5947, p equal to 0.0004).Conclusion:There is a significant correlation between right ventricular haemodynamic parameters and concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide in the plasma of children with right ventricular overload due to different types of congenital cardiac disease. The monitoring of brain natriuretic peptide may provide a non-invasive and safe quantitative follow up of the right ventricular pressure and volume overload in these patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-149
Author(s):  
Abirami Kumaresan ◽  
Alexander D Shapeton ◽  
Hong-mei Yuan ◽  
Philip E Hess

Transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation of the right ventricle is more difficult than the left ventricle and has not been well characterised in the parturient during delivery. As a preliminary investigation, our goal was to use bedside transthoracic echocardiography to evaluate right ventricular myocardial function before and after caesarean delivery. Term parturients undergoing caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia were enrolled. Echocardiography was performed pre- and postoperatively. Assessment of myocardial function included longitudinal myocardial strain using 2D-speckle tracking for both ventricles, and fractional area change for the right ventricle. Troponin-T, creatine kinase-muscle/brain and brain natriuretic peptide were measured pre- and postoperatively. One hundred patients were enrolled; 98 completed the study. Adequate images from both timepoints (pre- and postoperatively) were obtained in 85 patients for left ventricle assessment, and 66 for the right ventricle. Right ventricular fractional area change (mean (standard deviation)) (24.9% (8.9%) to 24.9% (9.2%); P = 0.99) and strain (−19.7% (6.8%) to −18.1% (6.5%); P = 0.08) measurements suggested mild baseline dysfunction and did not change after delivery. Left ventricular strain values were normal and unchanged after delivery (−23.8% (7.4%) to −24.3% (6.7%); P = 0.51). One patient had elevated troponin-T and demonstrated worse biventricular function. Elevation of brain natriuretic peptide ( n=7) was associated with mildly decreased left ventricular strain, but creatine kinase-muscle/brain ( n=4) was not associated with consistent changes in cardiac function. Further investigations into peripartum right ventricular function are required to validate the findings in this preliminary study. Findings of baseline mild right ventricular dysfunction and functional changes associated with troponin-T and brain natriuretic peptide warrant rigorous investigation.


1998 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Yoshitomi ◽  
Toshio Nishikimi ◽  
Shunichi Kojima ◽  
Morio Kuramochi ◽  
Shuichi Takishita ◽  
...  

1. Adrenomedullin, a newly identified vasorelaxant peptide, participates in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. To investigate the pathophysiological significance of adrenomedullin in patients with acute myocardial infarction, we measured plasma levels of adrenomedullin. 2. Cardiac catheterization was performed on admission, after 1 day, and after 4 weeks in 36 patients with acute myocardial infarction. We measured plasma levels of adrenomedullin, atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide in the right atrium, pulmonary artery and aorta. 3. Plasma levels of adrenomedullin in the right atrium (mean ± SEM) were significantly increased on admission (4.2 ± 2.6 h) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (10.6 ± 1.0 pmol/l) compared with controls (5.2 ± 0.3 pmol/l, P < 0.01). In addition, plasma levels of adrenomedullin were further elevated in patients with congestive heart failure (12.3 ± 1.4 pmol/l) compared with patients without congestive heart failure (7.8 ± 0.6 pmol/l, P < 0.01). In patients with congestive heart failure, plasma adrenomedullin on admission significantly correlated with atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide. 4. These results suggest that plasma adrenomedullin increases in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction and that volume expansion may be one of the additional stimuli for the release of adrenomedullin in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by congestive heart failure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1601.1-1602
Author(s):  
A. Spinella ◽  
P. Macripo’ ◽  
E. Cocchiara ◽  
E. Galli ◽  
F. Lumetti ◽  
...  

Background:Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a rare and life-threatening connective tissue disease with multiple organ impairment. Cardio-pulmonary involvement is common: pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and electrical disorders are the most serious complications and causes of increased mortality.Objectives:We evaluated features related with the onset and development of PH in a cohort of SSc patients. We further studied ecocardiographic abnormalities, by means of 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) with specific reference to the right ventricular strain measure (RV-strain).Methods:We analyzed data from 50 SSc patients (pts) referred to our University-based Rheumatology Centre and SSc Unit from January 2007 to June 2019 (F/M 45/5; lc/dcSSc 45/5; mean age 59.20±14.357 years; mean disease duration 12.08±8.75 years). All pts underwent general and cardio-pulmonary assessment in our Cardio-Rheumatology Clinic. The following parameters were considered: blood exams, in particular inflammation indexes, uric acid test and serum autoantibodies; pulmonary function tests; high resolution scan of the lungs (HRCT); standard electrocardiogram (ECG) and RV-strain measured by 2D-STE. These examinations were performed according to clinical picture and current methodologies. We compared SSc subjects with (10/50) and without (40/50) PH diagnosis during follow-up regardless of treatments.Results:SSc pts with PH didn’t show significant alterations concerning RV-strain if compared with pts without PH (p=0.707). Nevertheless, RV-strain value was modified in relation to TAPSE alterations in all pts but this data correlated with right ventricular dilatation only in PH subjects. Furthermore, interesting significant values about dilatation of right and left atria (p=0.007, p=0.048), dilatation of inferior vena cava (p=0.037) and right ventricle (p=0.023) were observed. Left ventricular hypertrophy (p=0.012) as well as valvular insufficiencies (mitral and aortic) were more frequent in PH group too (p=0.016). These pts showed higher incidence of skin ulcers (p=0.0001), higher values of blood pressure (p=0.004), elevated uric acid levels (p=0,027) and anti-centromere antibodies positivity (p=0.0001).Conclusion:Our research provides further evidence of the prognostic value of echocardiographic findings in SSc subjects, with focus on PH. Population enlargement is ongoing in order to identify more accurate results about RV-strain, considering the efficacy of PH treatments on cardiac contractility. Speckle tracking echocardiography proves to be a sensitive, low-cost, non-invasive and reliable tool to detect early cardiac impairment in Ssc, full of potential future prospects.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Castellanos Alcalde ◽  
N Garcia Ibarrondo ◽  
G Ramirez-Escudero ◽  
R Candina Urizar ◽  
A Lanbarri Izaguirre ◽  
...  

Abstract Interatrial communication is the most common congenital defect found in adulthood, being the most common ostium secundum variety (70-80%). Superior and inferior sinus venosus defects are less usual, found in the 5-10% of cases of interatrial communication and frequently associated with anomalous pulmonary venous return (APVR). These defects are located near the junction of the superior (5%) or inferior (&lt;1%) vena cava with the right atrium, which makes them difficult to diagnose by transthoracic ecocardiography (TTE). Case description: A 44-year-old man who is being followed up in our electrophysiology consulting with suspicion of ARVC (suggestive CMR with no gene found) after an episode of ventricular tachycardia (VT) 11 years ago. Asymptomatic since then under treatment with atenolol, except for an episode of chest pain that required a coronary computed tomography which described an image compatible with a patent foramen ovale and normal coronary arteries. During the follow-up a cardio magnetic resonance (CMR) is performed which showed a severely dilated right ventricle with diskinetic areas, no volume changes since last CMR (5 years ago) and preserved ejection fraction. A small interatrial communication located infero-posteriorly in the septum drawed our attention. Estimated QP/QS was 1.4. After this finding, we reviewed the CT made 4 years ago, where a flow from the left atrium to the right atrium could be seen. We decided to ask for both a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). TTE showed normal left ventricle, a dilated right ventricle with preserved function, no valvulopathies and normal pulmonary pressure. Shunt test with agitated saline was slightly positive after Valsalva maneuver, and QP/QS was again 1.4. TTE showed a small interatrial communication measuring 1.9x0.8cm, next to inferior vena cava`s drainage. Since right ventricle dilation could be due both to the atrial septal defect (ASD) and to the dysplasia, the case was discussed in the heart team, and as the defect was small, QP/QS was 1.4 and pulmonary pressure was normal we adopted a conservative approach. Inferior sinus venosus defects are one of the least common atrial septal defects. They are located in the atrial septum immediately above the orifice of the inferior vena cava and are often associated with partial anomalous connection of the right pulmonary veins. This location makes it difficult to see by means of a common TTE or TEE, and usually as in our case multimodal approach can be very helpful. Usually patients with this kind of atrial septal defect (ASD), signs of significant shunt (right ventricular volume overload, QP/QS≥1.5) and systolic PA pressure less than 50% of systemic pressure (with pulmonary vascular resistance less than one third of the systemic vascular resistance) are suggested for surgery. In this case the possibility of two pathologies overlapping makes it challenging for diagnosis and treatment. Abstract P718 Figure. Multimodal imaging for diagnosis.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (4) ◽  
pp. L645-L652 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Klinger ◽  
Farjaad M. Siddiq ◽  
Richard A. Swift ◽  
Cynthia Jackson ◽  
Linda Pietras ◽  
...  

Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP, respectively) are potent pulmonary vasodilators that are upregulated in hypoxia-adapted rats and may protect against hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. To test the hypothesis that C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) also modulates pulmonary vascular responses to hypoxia, we compared the vasodilator effect of CNP with that of ANP on pulmonary arterial rings, thoracic aortic rings, and isolated perfused lungs obtained from normoxic and hypoxia-adapted rats. We also measured CNP and ANP levels in heart, lung, brain, and plasma in normoxic and hypoxia-adapted rats. Steady-state CNP mRNA levels were quantified in the same organs by relative RT-PCR. CNP was a less potent vasodilator than ANP in preconstricted thoracic aortic and pulmonary arterial rings and in isolated lungs from normoxic and hypoxia-adapted rats. Chronic hypoxia increased plasma CNP (15 ± 2 vs. 6 ± 1 pg/ml; P < 0.05) and decreased CNP in the right atrium (35 ± 14 vs. 65 ± 17 pg/mg protein; P < 0.05) and in the lung (3 ± 1 vs. 14 ± 3 pg/mg protein; P < 0.05) but had no effect on CNP in brain or right ventricle. Chronic hypoxia increased ANP levels fivefold in the right ventricle (49 ± 5 vs. 11 ± 2 pg/mg protein; P < 0.05) but had no effect on ANP in lung or brain. There was a trend toward decreased ANP levels in the right atrium (2,009 ± 323 vs. 2,934 ± 397 pg/mg protein; P = not significant). No differences in CNP transcript levels were observed between the two groups of rats except that the right atrial CNP mRNA levels were lower in hypoxia-adapted rats. We conclude that CNP is a less potent pulmonary vasodilator than ANP in normoxic and hypoxia-adapted rats and that hypoxia raises circulating CNP levels without increasing cardiopulmonary CNP expression. These findings suggest that CNP may be less important than ANP or BNP in protecting against hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats.


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