Assays of plasma BNP concentrations have been shown to be helpful in differentiating myocardial dysfunction from primary lung disease in both the adult and pediatric population. However, our data demonstrate that mechanisms other than myocardial performance may regulate BNP levels in patients with severe central nervous system injury who progress to brain death. Our preliminary data suggest that these assays appear to be of limited value in assessing myocardial performance in this population.

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