心力衰竭患者血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原水平正常的研究进展

B型利钠肽和氨基末端利钠肽原作为心力衰竭的诊断血清生物标志物已经有很多年,并且已有大量研究证实,心力衰竭时血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原浓度升高提示心功能差及预后不良,心力衰竭程度越严重,血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原浓度越高,心功能分级越高,血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原水平也越高。但也有研究发现,在一些诊断为心力衰竭的患者中,血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原浓度可正常的现象。现对心力衰竭患者B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原水平正常的研究进展做一综述。     

联合检测氨基末端脑钠肽前体和高敏C反应蛋白与冠脉病变程度的相关性研究

目的探讨急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者冠状动脉粥样硬化程度和血浆氨基末端脑钠肽前体、高敏C反应蛋白水平之间的相关性。方法 ACS患者120例均行冠状动脉造影术,分为不稳定型心绞痛组(UAP组)40例,急性非ST段抬高性心肌梗死组(NSTEMI组)40例与急性ST段抬高性心肌梗死组(STEMI组)40例;同期正常体检者40名作为对照组。冠状动脉病变严重程度用病变血管支数及Gensini评分表示,于入院第2天抽血检测血浆氨基末端脑钠肽前体和高敏C反应蛋白水平,并进行比较。结果 ACS各组血浆氨基末端脑钠肽前体、高敏C反应蛋白水平和Gensini评分显著高于对照组(P<0.01),ACS各组氨基末端脑钠肽前体水平比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),Gensini评分各组比较差异无统计学意义;STEMI组高敏C反应蛋白水平高于NSTEMI组和UAP组(P<0.01);NSTEMI组与UAP组高敏C反应蛋白水平比较差异无统计学意义。血浆氨基末端脑钠肽前体、高敏C反应蛋白水平和Gensini评分随病变支数的增加而增加。结论联合检测氨基末端脑钠肽前体和高敏C反应蛋白水平可判断ACS的严重程度,对其诊治及指导早期行有创检查均有重要参考价值。     

慢性心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠肽与左心室功能的相关性分析

目的 研究慢性心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠肽(BNP)与左室功能的关系,探讨血浆脑钠肽在慢性心力衰竭患者病情评估中的临床价值.方法 采用ELISA法测定64例慢性心力衰竭患者(CHF组,NYHA心功能Ⅱ～Ⅳ级)及4JD例体检者(对照组)的血浆脑钠肽水平,应用心脏彩色多普勒超声诊断仪测定左室射血分数和心脏指数,并将CHF组的血浆脑钠肽水平与左室射血分数、心脏指数进行相关性分析.结果 CHF组血浆脑钠肽水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05).CHF组血浆脑钠肽水平随NYHA心功能分级程度的升高而增加(P<0.05),且与左室射血分数、心脏指数呈负相关(P<0.05).CHF组患者经规范化治疗后,心功能改善者的脑钠肽明显降低(P<0.05);心功能无改善的患者出院时脑钠肽明显高于心功能改善者(P<0.05).结论 血浆脑钠肽水平能较好地反映慢性心力衰竭患者左室功能状态,对于慢性心力衰竭的病情评估具有临床应用价值.     

慢性肺心病患者检测氨基末端脑钠肽前体和肌钙蛋白T的意义

目的探讨氨基末端脑钠肽前体和肌钙蛋白T在慢性肺心病患者中的检测意义。方法选择2015年1月至2016年6月于该院就诊的慢性肺心病患者53例为观察组,并选择同期于该院就诊的慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者53例为对照组,对比两组氨基末端脑钠肽前体和肌钙蛋白T水平。结果观察组急性加重期、缓解期氨基末端脑钠肽前体水平与肌钙蛋白T水平均显著高于对照组(均P<0.05);观察组出院6个月后再次入院与死亡发生率显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论氨基末端脑钠肽前体和肌钙蛋白T的检测,有利于指导慢性肺心病的临床治疗与预后。     

慢性心力衰竭患者血浆和肽素的水平及意义

目的探讨和肽素(copeptin)与慢性心力衰竭(CHF)的关系。方法选择CHF患者108例为CHF组,健康体检者30例作为对照组。所有入选人员均行超声心动图检查,并测定血中copeptin、氨基末端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)浓度。结果 (1)CHF患者血浆copeptin、NT-proBNP浓度显著高于对照组,且CHF患者心功能Ⅲ级+Ⅳ级组copeptin、NT-proBNP水平显著高于Ⅰ+Ⅱ级组(均P<0.05)。(2)CHF患者血浆copeptin、NT-proBNP浓度在不同射血分数组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且随射血分数的降低而增加。(3)copeptin分别与肌酐、NT-proBNP呈显著正相关(P<0.01),与左室射血分数(LVEF)呈负相关(P<0.01)。结论 CHF患者血浆copeptin水平显著升高,检测CHF患者血浆中copepein水平变化对CHF患者诊断及病情严重程度评估具有一定的临床价值。     

EPO辅助治疗慢性心力衰竭合并贫血52例临床观察

将52例慢性心力衰竭(CHF)合并贫血患者随机分为治疗组和对照组各26例,两组均予常规抗心衰药物,在此基础上治疗组加用促红细胞生成素(EPO)及铁剂治疗,至血红蛋白(Hb)浓度≥120g/L。随访6个月,观察两组治疗前后心功能指标、血浆脑钠肽(BNP)及Hb变化。结果治疗组心功能分级、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、6min步行距离较治疗前有显著改善(P<0.05);两组治疗前后血浆BNP水平均下降,治疗组更显著(P<0.01)。认为EPO可明显提高CHF合并贫血患者的Hb浓度,改善心功能,提高运动耐量。     

血浆NT-proBNP在老年舒张性心力衰竭患者早期诊断中的价值

目的 探讨血浆氨基末端B型钠利尿肽前体(NT-proBNP)在老年舒张性心衰(DHF)患者早期诊断中的价值.方法 26例心功能正常体检者为对照组,明确诊断收缩性心衰(SHF)患者(LVEF＜50%)25例、心腔正常DHF组(LVEF≥50%、E/A≤1)22例和心脏扩大DHF组28例.ELISA法测定血浆NT-proBNP浓度.结果 (1)NYHA心功能分级与NT-proBNP浓度呈显著正相关(r=0.658,P＜0.01),LVEF与NT-proBNP浓度呈显著负相关(r=-0.608,P＜0.01),NYHA分级之间的NT-proBNP水平差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).(2)心衰组血浆NT-proBNP水平各组之间有统计学差异(P＜0.01).结论 血浆NT-proBNP可以作为评价心衰严重程度的客观指标,尤其对DHF早期诊断,更具价值.     

血浆和肽素水平在慢性心力衰竭诊断中的意义

目的探讨慢性心力衰竭与血浆和肽素水平的关系及其临床意义。方法选取慢性心力衰竭患者60例(心衰组)和同期健康体检中心体检的健康人29例(正常组),比较两组和肽素及氨基末端前脑利钠肽(NT-pro BNP)水平。结果心衰组血浆和肽素水平[(16.26±2.48)pmol/L]显著高于正常组[(14.08±1.86)pmol/L,P<0.001],心衰组根据其合并的基础疾病(心肌病、心房颤动、高血压、冠心病、瓣膜病、糖尿病)进行亚组分析显示,各个亚组与正常组相比,和肽素水平差异显著(P<0.05)。在各心功能分级之间血浆和肽素差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);血浆NT-pro BNP水平在各心功能分级之间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论慢性心力衰竭患者血浆和肽素水平明显升高,血浆和肽素可能会成为诊断慢性心力衰竭及病情评估的一个新指标。     

红细胞分布宽度与急性心肌梗死患者并发症的关系

目的 探讨红细胞分布宽度与急性心肌梗死患者住院期间并发症之间的关系,比较红细胞分布宽度与N末端脑钠肽前体、肌钙蛋白I和高敏C反应蛋白的相关性.方法 急性心肌梗死患者200例,根据住院期间有无发生并发症(新发症状性心功能衰竭、心律失常、心源性休克)分为心肌梗死并发症组(n=145)和单纯心肌梗死组(n=55);根据入院时红细胞分布宽度水平四分位分组(≤12.8%、12.9%～13.8%、13.9%～14.7%和≥14.8%,每组各50例),应用Logistic回归计算不同红细胞分布宽度水平并发症发生风险的优势比;Spearman等级相关比较红细胞分布宽度与N末端脑钠肽前体、肌钙蛋白I和高敏C反应蛋白的相关性.结果 心肌梗死并发症组红细胞分布宽度水平显著高于单纯心肌梗死组(14.50%±0.97%比12.90%±0.85%,P<0.05).急性心肌梗死患者红细胞分布宽度水平与并发症发生风险之间存在正相关,校正年龄、糖尿病、估算肾小球滤过率、左心室舒张期末内径、左心室射血分数、血浆N末端脑钠肽前体、肌钙蛋白I和高敏C反应蛋白以后,红细胞分布宽度水平最高四分位数患者发生并发症的风险是最低四分位数患者的1.96倍(95%可信区间为1.34～2.79,P<0.05).红细胞分布宽度与血浆N末端脑钠肽前体、肌钙蛋白I和高敏C反应蛋白的相关性逐次减弱(秩相关系数分别为0.31、0.29和0.21,P均＜0.05).结论 红细胞分布宽度与急性心肌梗死患者并发症及N末端脑钠肽前体、肌钙蛋白I密切相关.     

重组人脑利钠肽和硝普钠治疗中重度心力衰竭的对比研究

目的 观察重组人脑利钠肽(rhBNP)治疗中重度心力衰竭的临床效果,探讨rhBNP对心功能及神经内分泌激素相关指标的影响.方法 100例中重度心力衰竭患者随机分为rhBNP组与硝普钠组,分别给予rhBNP与硝普钠,观察两组患者治疗前后心功能及神经内分泌激素相关指标的变化.结果 两组治疗后血清B型脑钠肽、去甲肾上腺素、内皮素水平明显下降(P<0.01),抗利尿激素水平有下降趋势;停药后半小时rhBNP组血清BNP、去甲肾上腺素水平较硝普钠组下降明显(P<0.05或P<0.01),用药后1周rhBNP组血清BNP水平与硝普钠组相比明显降低(P<0.05).结论 rhBNP能明显改善患者心室的舒缩功能,延缓心室重构,是治疗CHF安全有效的药物.     

N-Terminal Natriuretic Peptide and Ventilation-Perfusion Lung Scan in Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in sickle cell disease and thalassemia patients in relation to clinical and laboratory parameters of hemolysis and hemosidersosis, as well as plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP). The study also aimed to define the role of thromboembolic pulmonary artery (PA) obstruction in its etiology. Forty sickle cell disease and 30 thalassemia patients [15 β-thalassemia major (β-TM) and 15 β-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI)] were screened for PH defined as tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV) >2.5 m/sec and evaluated for PA obstruction using ventilation-perfusion lung scan (V/Q), together with measurement of their plasma levels of NT-pro-BNP. Patients were prospectively followed up for a mean of 18 ± 6.1 months. The prevalence of PH was 37.5, 40.0 and 26.7% in sickle cell disease, β-TI and β-TM patients, respectively. Pulmonary hypertension patients were older, had longer disease duration, higher serum ferritin, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and NT-pro-BNP with lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels compared to patients without PH. N-terminal pro-BNP was positively correlated with duration of illness, TRV, LDH, serum ferritin, and negatively correlated with Hb levels. The strongest predictor for TRV was serum ferritin followed by the NT-pro-BNP level. Forty-six-point-seven percent of sickle cell disease patients with PH had either high or intermediate probability V/Q scan results compared to 10% of thalassemic patients with PH who had high probability V/Q scan results. Pulmonary hypertension is highly prevalent in young sickle cell disease and thalassemia patients, where elevated serum ferritin and NT-pro-BNP are the main indicators.     

Plasma nitrites/nitrates in HCV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in response to inflammatory and mitogenic stimuli and may have a role in carcinogenesis. However, the role of NO in hepatitis C-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. In this study, we investigated the potential role of NO in HCC complicating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHOD: We measured plasma nitrites/nitrates as being representative for NO release in blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis (n = 20), cirrhosis of different aetiologies (n = 30) including HCV, HCC (n = 22) and in healthy controls (n = 8), by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Plasma NO levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis (32.3+/-8.94 micromol/l) were not significantly different from those in healthy control subjects (35.5+/-15.12 micromol/l). Also, there were no statistical differences between plasma NO levels in patients on alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) therapy (n = 10) (31.60+/-10.55 micromol/l) and in non-treated patients (n = 10) (33.00+/-7.51 micromol/l) within the group of chronic hepatitis C. Plasma NO levels in patients with cirrhosis (42.36+/-26.86 micromol/l) were significantly higher than those with chronic hepatitis C (P < 0.001). The cause of cirrhosis had no effect on plasma NO levels. Plasma NO levels in patients with HCC (49.40+/-49.11 micromol/l) were significantly higher than those with liver cirrhosis (P < 0.03). No significant correlation was found between plasma NO and serum ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels. There were positive correlations between plasma NO levels and alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.528) (P = 0.0001), bilirubin (r = 0.244) (P = 0.039) and GGT (gamma glutamyltransferase) (r = 0.255) (P = 0.030). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that patients with chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis have the same plasma NO levels as controls, and that alpha-IFN therapy had no effect on NO production in these patients. However, patients with HCC have elevated plasma NO levels compared with patients with cirrhosis. These data support the concept that NO is elevated in cirrhosis and HCC, but HCV infection does not appear to be responsible for the increase of NO in these patients. The severity of liver disease may be an important factor.     

促红素对肝硬化大鼠血清—氧化氮含量的影响

目的探讨血红蛋白（Ｈｂ）对肝硬化大鼠血清一氧化氮（ＮＯ）含量及血流动力学的影响。方法应用５７Ｃｏ标记微球观察促红素长期治疗对肝硬化大鼠血流动力学参数的影响；应用荧光法测定大鼠血清ＮＯ含量。结果肝硬化大鼠全部出现高动力循环状态，且血清ＮＯ含量显著高于对照组、血Ｈｂ含量显著低于对照组；促红素治疗组，高动力循环状态明显改善，与未治疗组比较，Ｈｂ含量显著升高，血清ＮＯ含量显著降低。结论促红素致Ｈｂ增加，进而加速ＮＯ灭活对肝硬化高动力循环状态可能具有潜在治疗作用     

肝硬化患者血浆ET-1、NO和黏附分子的水平变化及临床意义

目的观察肝硬化患者血浆中内皮素(ET-1)、一氧化氮(NO)和可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1(sICAM-1)、可溶性血管细胞黏附分子-1(sVCAM-1)的水平变化及其与肝功能的关系,探讨其临床意义。方法采用放射免疫、分光光度及单克隆抗体法,分别检测肝硬化患者血浆中的ET-1、NO和sICAM-1、sVCAM-1水平并与正常对照组进行对比分析。结果肝硬化组(观察组)血浆ET-1、NO和sI-CAM-1、sVCAM均明显高于对照组。肝功能Child-Pugh分级A级与对照组之间无明显差异(P>0.05),B、C级与对照组之间差异显著(P<0.01),A、B、C级之间的差异非常显著(P<0.01)。结论肝硬化患者血浆ET-1、NO和sICAM-1、sVCAM-1水平均升高,并与肝细胞损伤、肝功能障碍呈正相关,提示血浆ET-1、NO和sICAM-1、sVCAM-1水平监测可作为临床观察肝硬化患者病变活动的重要免疫学指标,对肝硬化的早期诊断和Child-Pugh分级具有一定的参考和补充价值。     

Direct comparison of transcardiac difference between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP in patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Direct comparison of transcardiac increase in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-pro-BNP has not been performed previously. AIMS: To evaluate the relation between BNP and NT-pro-BNP secretion, plasma levels and renal function. METHODS: We measured the plasma levels of BNP and NT-pro-BNP in the aortic root and coronary sinus in 326 consecutive patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Patients were divided into two groups [group I: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)>or=60 mL/min and group II: eGFR<60 mL/min]. RESULTS: The molar level of the transcardiac increase in NT-pro-BNP is lower than that of BNP. There were no differences in haemodynamics or the transcardiac gradient of BNP and NT-pro-BNP between group I and group II. The molar ratio of the plasma NT-pro-BNP to BNP was significantly higher in group II than in group I. By stepwise multivariate analyses, not only the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and LV end-diastolic pressure, but also eGFR, LV mass index (LVMI) and haemoglobin were independent predictors of plasma NT-pro-BNP and BNP. CONCLUSION: The molar level of the transcardiac increase in NT-pro-BNP is lower than that of BNP; however, the influence of renal function on plasma NT-pro-BNP is greater than that on BNP.     

Elevated nitric oxide and 3′,5′ cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis

AIM： To evaluate whether serum levels of nitric oxide （NO^.） and plasma levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP） and total glutathione （GSH） are altered in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and to examine their correlation with the severity of liver disease.
METHODS： Twenty-six patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis were studied. Serum levels of NO^. and plasma levels of cGMP and GSH were measured in 7 patients with compensated alcoholic cirrhosis （Child-Pugh A） and 19 patients with advanced cirrhosis （Child-Pugh B and C）. The model for end-stage liver disease （MELD） score was evaluated. Sixteen healthy volunteers served as controls. Liver enzymes and creatinine levels were also tested.
RESULTS： NO^. and cGMP levels were higher in patients with Child-Pugh B and C cirrhosis than in Child-Pugh A cirrhosis or controls （NO^.： 21.70 ± 8.07 vs 11.70 ± 2.74; 21.70± 8.07 vs 7.26 ± 2.47 μmol/L, respectively; P 〈 0.001） and （cGMP： 20.12 ± 6.62 vs 10.14 ± 2.78; 20.12 ± 6.62 vs 4.95 ± 1.21 pmol/L, respectively; P 〈 0.001）. Total glutathione levels were lower in patients with Child-Pugh B and C cirrhosis than in patients with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis or controls （16.04 ± 6.06 vs 23.01 ± 4.38 or 16.04 ± 6.06 vs 66.57 ±26.23 μmol/L, respectively; P 〈 0.001）. There was a significant correlation between NO^. and cGMP levels in all patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. A significant negative correlation between reduced glutathione/glutathione disulfide and the MELD score was found in all cirrhotic patients.
CONCLUSION： Our results suggest a role for oxidative stress in alcoholic liver cirrhosis, which is more significant in decompensated patients with higher levels of NO^. and cGMP and lower GSH levels than in compensated and control patients. Altered mediator levels in decompensated patients may influence the hemodynamic changes in and progression of liver disease.     

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as an indicator of disease severity in a heterogeneous group of patients with chronic precapillary pulmonary hypertension

N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) is well established as a predictor of prognosis in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Although a similar prognostic significance has been suggested in 1 study of right ventricular failure and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, NT-pro-BNP has not been assessed as a marker of disease severity in a more heterogenous group of patients with chronic precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). Hence, this study assessed plasma NT-pro-BNP and other clinical variables in 61 consecutively recruited patients with various forms of chronic precapillary PH. Right-sided cardiac catheterization and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were performed at baseline, and the prognostic significance of NT-pro-BNP was investigated with a mean follow-up of 25 months. Compared with age-matched controls (n = 10), plasma NT-pro-BNP was significantly greater in those with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 16), chronic precapillary PH associated with other diseases (n = 26), and chronic thromboembolic disease (n = 19) and was correlated with hemodynamic variables and functional capacity. In 17 medically treated patients, the significant decrease in NT-pro-BNP levels correlated with improved hemodynamics. During follow-up, 15 patients died from cardiopulmonary causes. Baseline NT-pro-BNP was an independent predictor of mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis according to the median value of NT-pro-BNP (168 pmol/L) demonstrated a significantly higher mortality rate in those with supramedian values than in those with low plasma levels (p = 0.010). In conclusion, these findings suggest that in a heterogenous group of patients with chronic precapillary PH, plasma NT-pro-BNP can be used to determine the clinical severity of disease and is independently associated with long-term mortality.     

慢性充血性心力衰竭患者血浆BCAAs水平的临床研究

目的:探讨研究慢性充血性心力衰竭(CHF)患者血浆支链氨基酸(BCAAs)水平的变化,及其与氨基末端脑钠尿肽前体(NT-pro-BNP)和左室射血分数(LVEF)的相关性。方法:共纳入168例诊断为CHF患者作为病例组,同时随机选择同期体检的41例健康成年人作为对照组。采用ELISA方法测定空腹血浆BCAAs水平、NT-pro-BNP,超声心动图检测LVEF值。比较两组血浆BCAAs水平及其与NT-pro-BNP、LVEF的关系。结果:两组受试者基线资料无明显差异;CHF患者血浆BCAA水平、LVEF均低于对照组,血浆NT-pro-BNP高于对照组(P<0.01);随着NYHA分级增加,NT-pro-BNP逐渐升高,LVEF逐渐降低(P<0.01),而BCAAs水平无明显变化;Spearson偏相关分析显示经性别、年龄、收缩压、舒张压、体质量指数校正后,CHF组BCAAs水平与NT-pro-BNP呈负相关(r=-0.168,P<0.05),而与LVEF无关(r=0.069,P>0.05)。结论:CHF患者血浆BCAAs水平明显低于正常对照组,与NT-pro-BNP水平呈负相关。     

Systemic nitric oxide production and renal function in nonazotemic human cirrhosis: a reappraisal

OBJECTIVES: Several studies in human cirrhosis have demonstrated increased nitric oxide (NO) production. In experimental animals, intracerebroventricular administration of NO donors causes a marked depression of the endogenous dopaminergic activity, a function known to be physiologically recruited and exerting a natriuretic function in patients with compensated cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the interaction between the systemic plasma levels of NO, the endogenous dopaminergic activity and the main parameters of renal function in patients with liver cirrhosis of differing degrees of severity. METHODS: A total of 21 patients (11 with preascitic and 10 with nonazotemic diuretic-free ascitic cirrhosis) and 10 healthy control subjects underwent the following tests: a) basal plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone levels; b) renal clearances of sodium, potassium, inulin, para-minohippurate and lithium (the latter being a measure of the fluid delivery to the distal nephron); c) NO systemic plasma levels measured through paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy as nitrosylhemoglobin complexes; d) endogenous dopaminergic activity, evaluated by means of the incremental prolactin and aldosterone plasma levels after dopaminergic blockade with i.v. metoclopramide. RESULTS: NO plasma values and endogenous dopaminergic activity, although significantly increased with respect to healthy controls, were not different in the two groups of patients. The plasma NO/PRA ratio was significantly higher in the group of compensated patients with respect to ascitic cirrhotics (respectively, 18.3 +/- 11.8 vs 3.5 +/- 2.6 A.U./ng/ml/h, p < 0.001). Compared with compensated cirrhotics, patients with ascites showed significantly lower values of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF). Interestingly, GFR values were substantially the same in the ascitic patients and the control subjects. Compensated patients displayed a significant positive correlation between metoclopramide-induced incremental aldosterone plasma levels (i.e., endogenous dopaminergic tone) and fractional excretion of sodium (r = 0.58; p < 0.05). In the group of compensated patients, NO levels correlated inversely with creatinine plasma concentrations (r = -0.85; p < 0.001) and directly with inulin clearance (r = 0.65; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data show that, at least in compensated cirrhotic patients, the stimulation of systemic NO production and the increased dopaminergic function may be mechanisms preventing renal perfusion, GFR, and fractional excretion of sodium from precocious reductions.     

Usefulness of serial N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide measurements for determining prognosis in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Previous studies have shown the prognostic benefit of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) at time of diagnosis. However, there are only limited data on the clinical utility of serial measurements of the inactive peptide NT-pro-BNP in PAH. This study examined the value of serial NT-pro-BNP measurements in predicting prognosis PAH. We retrospectively analyzed all available NT-pro-BNP plasma samples in 198 patients who were diagnosed with World Health Organization group I PAH from January 2002 through January 2009. At time of diagnosis median NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly different between survivors (610 pg/ml, range 6 to 8,714) and nonsurvivors (2,609 pg/ml, range 28 to 9,828, p <0.001). In addition, NT-pro-BNP was significantly associated (p <0.001) with other parameters of disease severity (6-minute walking distance, functional class). Receiver operating curve analysis identified ≥1,256 pg/ml as the optimal NT-pro-BNP cutoff for predicting mortality at time of diagnosis. Serial measurements allowed calculation of baseline NT-pro-BNP (i.e., intercept obtained by back-extrapolation of concentration-time graph), providing a better discrimination between survivors and nonsurvivors than NT-pro-BNP at time of diagnosis alone (p = 0.010). Furthermore, a decrease of NT-pro-BNP of >15%/year was associated with survival. In conclusion, a serum NT-pro-BNP level ≥1,256 pg/ml at time of diagnosis identifies poor outcome in patients with PAH. In addition, a decrease in NT-pro-BNP of >15%/year is associated with survival in PAH.