N‐terminal Prohormone Brain Natriuretic Peptide‐proBNP Levels in Ventricular Arrhythmias in Children

Abstract

Background Ventricular arrhythmias are the most common consequences of structural and functional heart diseases, but cases with no evident pathology are also observed. A parameter indicating asymptomatic circulatory failure could support decisions related to possible treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Hypothesis The study objective was the evaluation of N‐terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels in children with ventricular arrhythmias and an attempt to determine if this parameter may be used for diagnosis and prognosis of ventricular arrhythmias. Material and methods The study population was comprised of 36 children age 5 to 17.5 years old with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (Group B) graded mild or potentially malignant; 29 patients with mild ventricular arrhythmias were included into Group B1; and 7 patients with potentially malignant cases into Group B2. In all the patients, NT‐proBNP assays were performed. Results The NT‐proBNP levels in Groups B, B1, B2 and the control group (Group K) were as follows: 41.5 ± 15.1 pg/mL, 35.5 ± 18.5 pg/mL, 66.3 ± 24.9 pg/mL and 31.5 ± 15.1 pg/mL, respectively. Between the groups with and without arrhythmias (Group B vs Group K), no statistically significant differences in NT‐proBNP levels were found. However, markedly higher NT‐proBNP levels were shown in the children with potentially malignant arrhythmias (Group B2) compared to the patients with mild arrhythmias (B1) and the control group (Group K). Conclusions The level of NT‐proBNP increases with the severity of ventricular arrhythmia. NT‐proBNP assays can be helpful for diagnosing and grading the severity of ventricular arrhythmias. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development and Validation of a Risk Prediction Model for Ventricular Arrhythmia in Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

“…Lindholm et al [ 34 ] confirmed that NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT had greater prognostic value than any other biomarkers for cardiovascular outcomes. In a study of ventricular arrhythmias in children, Mazurek et al [ 35 ] found that the level of NT-proBNP increased with the severity of the ventricular arrhythmia, and the determination of NT-proBNP is helpful for the diagnosis and grading of ventricular arrhythmias.…”

Perioperative NT-proBNP level: Potential prognostic markers in children undergoing congenital heart disease surgery

“…Patients younger than 18 years with CHD who underwent cardiac surgery were eligible for the study. Children who had preoperative arrhythmia (potentially malignant ventricular arrhythmias and high-degree atrioventricular block), rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, myocarditis, pericardial disease, renal dysfunction, or neoplasms, [10][11][12] or who could not be separated from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were excluded.…”

Significance of N-Terminal Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Diagnostic Tool for Premature Ventricular Contractions in Patients with Preserved Left Ventricular Function"

“…It showed PVCs originating from tricuspid valve were associated with highest burden and highest NT-proBNP and reduced ejection fraction (even less than 50% in some patients). A study conducted by Mazurik B et al 10 established the association of PVCs with NT-proBNP in children. Present study was conducted on adults while children were excluded, but its result coincides with that study and both studies found signi cantly raised NT-proBNP levels in moderate and frequent PVCs burden in comparison to control group.…”