Aminoterminal Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP)‎ Levels for Monitoring Interventions in Paediatric Cardiac Patients with Stenotic Lesions

Abstract EN

Background.

Serum concentration of NT-proBNP correlates well with the severity of cardiac disease in adults.

Few studies have been performed on the applicability of NT-proBNP for monitoring children with congenital heart disease.

Objective.

To assess the potential of NT-proBNP for monitoring the success of interventions in children with stenotic cardiac lesions.

Methods.

NT-proBNP was measured in 42 children aged 1 day to 17 years (y) before and 6 to 12 weeks after surgical or interventional correction of obstructive lesions of the heart.

Comparison is made with the clinical status and echocardiographic data of the child.

Results.

NT-proBNP levels (median 280, range 10–263,000 pg/mL) were above the reference value in all but 6 patients (pts) prior to the intervention.

Higher levels were found in more compromised patients.

The 35 children with clinical improvement after the procedure showed a decline of their NT-proBNP level in all but 4 patients, whose levels remained unchanged.

Five patients with unchanged gradients despite a therapeutic intervention also demonstrated unchanged NT-proBNP levels after the intervention.

Thus, the success rate of the procedure correlated well to clinical and echocardiographic findings.

Conclusion.

NT-proBNP can be used to assess the efficiency of an intervention.