NT-proBNP reflects right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension

¹ Depts of Pulmonary Diseases
² Cardiology, University Hospitals Leicester, NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom
³ Physics and Medical Technology
⁴ Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute for Cardiovascular Research ICaR-VU, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: a.vonk{at}vumc.nl.

	Abstract

To investigate whether alterations in NT-proBNP reflect changes in right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension patients during treatment.

30 pulmonary hypertension patients were studied, 15 newly diagnosed and 15 on long-term treatment. NT-proBNP, right heart catheterization and cardiac MRI measurements were performed, at baseline and follow-up. There were no significant differences between newly diagnosed and on treatment patients at baseline and follow-up with respect to NT-proBNP, hemodynamics and right ventricular parameters. Relative changes in NT-proBNP during treatment were correlated to the relative changes in right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (r=0.59, p<0.001), right ventricular mass index (r=0.62, p<0.001) and right ventricular ejection fraction (r= -0.81, p<0.001)

NT-proBNP measurements reflect changes in MRI measured right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension patients. An increased NT-proBNP over time reflects right ventricular dilatation concomitant to hypertrophy and deterioration of systolic function.

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