Significance of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing hemodialysis

Background This study was conducted to find a marker of fluid overload in diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods We measured plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in 30 diabetic, and 30 nondiabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. Results In both groups of patients, plasma concentrations of both peptides were decreased during hemodialysis, and correlated with changes in body weight. Postdialysis plasma concentrations of ANP were close to the normal limits, while those of BNP were extremely high. Plasma BNP concentrations in diabetic patients were higher than those in nondiabetic patients, before and after hemodialysis. In diabetic patients, the duration of hemodialysis correlated with predialysis plasma concentrations of both peptides and the rate of ischemic heart disease. Predialysis plasma BNP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with, as compared to those without, ischemic heart disease. Conclusion Plasma ANP concentration was a marker for the proper volume and dry weight, and plasma BNP concentration was a marker for tacroangiopathy, in diabetic as well as nondiabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis.     

The mature form of adrenomedullin correlates with brain natriuretic peptide in plasma of chronic hemodialysis patients

AIM: Adrenomedullin (AM), a hypotensive and natriuretic peptide, consists of an amidated mature form (mAM) and an intermediate form in human plasma, of which only mAM exerts biological activity. Like atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), plasma levels of mAM are reported to be significantly elevated in hemodialysis (HD) patients, suggesting that mAM may be stimulated partly by increased body fluid volume in a manner similar to the natriuretic peptides. Here, we examined the relationship between mAM levels and ANP or BNP levels and the effect of HD on plasma mAM in HD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured plasma levels of mAM, total AM (tAM), ANP and BNP before and after HD in patients on long-term HD (n = 22, mean age 56.3 +/- 3.2 years) using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Baseline mAM (2.7 +/- 0.3 fmol/ml) and tAM (23.6 +/- 2.0 fmol/ml) were significantly higher in HD patients than in healthy subjects (1.1 +/- 0.2 fmol/ml, 9.0 +/- 2.1 fmol/ml, respectively). HD significantly reduced the levels to 1.2 +/- 0.2 fmol/ml and 13.8 +/- 1.4 fmol/ml, respectively, although tAM levels were still elevated compared to healthy subjects. Similar plasma ANP and BNP levels were obtained in HD patients. There were significant correlations between mAM and tAM levels before and after HD and between HD-induced changes in mAM and tAM levels. In the pre-HD state, levels of both mAM and tAM correlated significantly with BNP levels, but the correlation of BNP with mAM was closer than that with tAM. In contrast, no correlations were observed between the 2 forms of AM and ANP. Changes in mAM levels during HD also correlated significantly with BNP but not ANP levels, although the changes in tAM did not correlate with those of the 2 natriuretic peptides. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the secretion/metabolism of mAM may be regulated in a manner similar to that of BNP in HD patients.     

Clinical significance of natriuretic peptides and cyclic GMP in hemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are suitable markers of 'dry body weight' (DW) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, it is still unknown whether these markers can be applied to patients with renal failure and coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined the reliability of these peptides as volume markers in HD patients with CAD. We also assessed the relationship between natriuretic peptides and indices of left ventricular (LV) function. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of ANP, BNP and cGMP were determined before and after HD in patients with CAD (group 1, n = 19, mean age 63 +/- 12 years) and were compared with those of patients without cardiac disease (group 2, n = 20, age 61 +/- 15 years). Using data obtained by cardiac catheterization, we examined the relationship between natriuretic peptides and indices of LV function in HD patients with CAD. RESULTS: Baseline ANP (244 +/- 205 pg/ml), BNP (713 +/- 928 pg/ml) and cGMP (29.6 +/- 21.6 pmol/ml) were significantly higher in group 1 than in 11 healthy volunteers (18.6 +/- 9.9 pg/ml, 7.7 +/- 7.6 pg/ml, cGMP 8.9 +/- 4.9 pmol/ml, respectively). HD significantly reduced plasma ANP (87 +/- 75 pg/ml) and BNP (477 +/- 702 pg/ml) although they were still above normal control. HD reduced plasma cGMP (7.2 +/- 4.5 pmol/ml) to normal values, suggesting the elimination of cGMP across the dialyzers. Baseline levels of ANP, BNP and cGMP in group 2 were less than those of group 1 but higher than the control. HD reduced natriuretic peptides in group 2 to levels lower than those in post-HD group 1. After HD, there was no significant correlation between reductions in body weight and changes in ANP or BNP. Baseline ANP and BNP levels closely correlated with pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction. A significant correlation was observed between BNP levels and the severity of CAD. CONCLUSION: ANP, BNP and cGMP seem to be a useful markers for fluid overload but not for DW in HD patients with CAD. Plasma ANP and BNP might be useful markers for left ventricular function.     

Increased circulating levels of natriuretic peptides predict future cardiac event in patients with chronic hemodialysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cardiovascular events are the major determinant of the prognosis in patients with chronic hemodialysis. The present study was designed to investigate whether increased plasma levels of atrial or brain natriuretic peptides (ANP or BNP) predict future cardiac events in such patients. METHODS: Fifty-three patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis without clinical symptoms suggestive of cardiac disorders were enrolled and their blood was sampled for ANP and BNP measurements. Electrocardiograms demonstrated left ventricular hypertrophy in 28 patients but no other abnormal findings. We followed them up for 11.3 +/- 0.2 months. The endpoint was cardiac events. RESULTS: Cardiac events occurred in 13 patients (CE group). Both ANP and BNP levels were higher in CE group than in patients without cardiac events (ANP: 118 +/- 21 vs. 56 +/- 5 pg/ml, BNP: 769 +/- 204 vs. 193 +/- 25 pg/ml, respectively). Receiver operating characteristics curve revealed that the cut-off levels of ANP and BNP were 58 and 390 pg/ml, respectively. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, the incidence of cardiac events was significantly greater in patients with higher levels of ANP (50.0 vs. 0.0%) or BNP (72.7 vs. 11.9%) than in those with lower levels of the peptides. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of ANP or BNP indicate an increased risk of cardiac events and these peptides are clinically useful to predict cardiac events in patients with hemodialysis.     

Plasma brain natriuretic peptides and renal hypertension

Three children with renal hypertension are described. Two had histories of neuroblastoma treated by surgical resection and chemotherapy. They both presented later with unilateral atrophic kidney and marked hypertension. Only the child with severe cardiac failure demonstrated high plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations. The remaining patient had a history of chronic nephritis treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. She also had chronic hypertension and severe cardiac failure. This child demonstrated high plasma BNP levels. The endogenous secretion of BNP is not triggered by hypertension alone, even though exogenous BNP has the pharmacological effect of reducing renin activity. Received: 23 July 1999 / Revised: 1 December 1999 / Accepted: 2 December 1999     

N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide predicts hospitalization of hemodialysis patients for cardiovascular disease

We investigated whether or not N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) could predict hospitalization for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Japanese hemodialysis patients. A total of 104 patients on maintenance dialysis 3 times per week were enrolled. We followed the patients for 23.9 +/- 4.2 months and 19 hospitalizations for CVD occurring during this period. The area under the curve (AUC) for the risk of CVD hospitalization was calculated after drawing a receiver operating characteristic curve. Predialysis NT-proBNP showed a larger AUC value than both postdialysis NT-proBNP and brain natriuretic peptide. The optimal cut-off value of predialysis NT-proBNP for predicting CVD hospitalization was 5,894 pg/mL, (sensitivity of 60 % and specificity of 76 %). Diabetes mellitus, a history of CVD, and the predialysis NT-proBNP level were significant determinants of CVD hospitalization according to Cox proportional hazards analysis. In conclusion, predialysis NT-proBNP is useful for predicting CVD hospitalization in hemodialysis patients.     

Perioperative plasma concentrations of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty

Acute hypotension, transient hypoxaemia and elevation of pulmonary artery pressure are well known to occur during cemented arthroplasty. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to characterize the relationship between plasma concentrations of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP), and changes in blood pressure in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. Elevated ANP and BNP levels may be markers of inadequate myocardial reserve. We measured plasma ANP and BNP levels before the operation and 20 minutes after the cementing in 18 patients (54-90 yr). We defined a hypotensive response after cementing as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of more than 15 mm Hg below the pre-cementing value. In the hypotensive group, preoperative values of ANP were 123 +/- 48.5 pg/ml and BNP, 138 +/- 71.7 pg/ml. These values are significantly greater than those in the normotensive group (ANP 35.9 +/- 7.7, and BNP 17.2 +/- 3.2 pg/ml). High preoperative values of ANP and BNP are associated with more hypotension during cemented arthroplasty and could provide an indication of which patients are at risk of this complication.     

运用N-末端脑钠肽评估维持性血液透析患者干体质量

目的观察N-末端脑钠肽(N-terminal brain natriuretie peptide,NT-proBNP)运用于维持性血液透析患者干体质量的评估并分析临床意义。方法 48例行维持血液透析患者分为干体质量组(Ⅰ组,24例),容量超负荷组(Ⅱ组,24例)。治疗前比较两组年龄、平均动脉压、心胸比例、左室射血分数、左室容积、NT-proBNP、血肌酐、尿素氮、估算肾小球滤过率。两组常规透析前后检测NTproBNP、血肌酐、尿素氮,计算尿素清除指数(the urea clearance index,Kt/V)值,并于下次透析前检测NT-proBNP、血肌酐、尿素氮。结果Ⅰ、Ⅱ两组患者间性别、年龄、左室射血分数、左室容积、透析之前血肌酐、尿素氮及估算肾小球滤过率比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05);平均动脉压[(88.10±10.16)mm Hg、(93.92±8.03)mm Hg]、心胸比例[(48.80±6.11)%、(53.25 4-2.72)%]及NT-proBNP[(3 827.67±712.12)ng/L、(5 793.58±945.20)ng/L],Ⅰ组小于Ⅱ组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05或P0.01);透析后两组间NT-proBNP[(1847.77 4-802.54)ng/L、(3 023.58±876.56)ng/L]、血肌酐[(287.26±62.86)μmol/L、(298.86±74.57)μmol/L]比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。下次透析前测NT-proBNP、血肌酐值,与上次透析前比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05)。Ⅰ、Ⅱ两组NT-proBNP值远高于正常值范围。结论在非显性水肿的维持性血液透析的患者中,NT-proBNP增高提示容量超负荷普遍存在。NT-proBNP可用来评估非显性水肿的维持性血液透析的容量负荷,但具有局限性,可辅助调节干体质量。维持性血液透析干体质量的确定需要查体及多项检测综合判断。     

N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide predicts mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease in hemodialysis

Concentrations of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) increase in patients with heart failure and other cardiovascular (CV) diseases and are strong prognostic markers. In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in hemodialysis (HD), levels of NT-proBNP are almost always raised. In ESRD patients undergoing HD, we aimed at (i) identifying the factors that affect levels of NT-proBNP, (ii) determining the effect of HD on NT-proBNP, and (iii) determining the prognostic impact of NT-proBNP. A total of 109 patients underwent physical examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography. Serum NT-proBNP was measured before and after HD (Elecsys 2010). NT-proBNP levels were markedly elevated (pre-HD 4079 pg/ml, post-HD 2759 pg/ml, P<0.001). There was a strong inverse correlation between NT-proBNP and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P=0.043), 24-h urine production (P=0.006), and K(t)/V (efficacy of dialysis) (P=0.016) and a positive correlation with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (P=0.014). Patients with higher concentrations, both pre- and post-HD had an increased mortality rate compared to those with lower concentrations (P=0.007, P=0.002). We found age (P=0.009) and NT-proBNP (pre-HD P=0.007, post-HD P=0.001) predictive of death. Our findings demonstrate that CV disease in terms of LVH and reduced LVEF in addition to 24-h urine production and K(t)/V determine NT-proBNP levels. Post-HD levels of NT-proBNP were lower than pre-HD levels; both predictive of mortality.     

Clinical utility of natriuretic peptides in dialysis patients

Dialysis patients suffer a greatly heightened risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These patients also experience an extremely high prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Thus, there is a clinical need to identify circulating biomarkers that have diagnostic value for cardiovascular disease and have prognostic importance so to facilitate earlier and more aggressive intervention. The natriuretic peptides, namely brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), belong to a family of vasopeptide hormones that are released from the heart and play a major role in blood pressure regulation and volume homeostasis through their direct effects on the kidney and systemic vasculature and represent a favorable aspect of neurohumoral activation. Testing for BNP or NT-pro-BNP has recently emerged as important diagnostic tool for heart failure and a useful biomarker for risk stratification in the general population. In dialysis patients, there has been interest in evaluating the potential of BNP and NT-pro-BNP as markers of volume status as they are frequently elevated in dialysis patients. However, the interpretation of their levels is confounded by impaired renal clearance and preexisting LV abnormalities which have limited their applicability as a surrogate marker of volume status. In this article, we discuss the pathophysiology accounting for the elevation of natriuretic peptides in dialysis patients and review current evidence that supports their clinical utility as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in this population.     

The role of brain natriuretic peptide in prognostication and reclassification of risk in patients undergoing vascular surgery

The aim of this study was to determine whether measurement of pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide can significantly improve risk stratification of vascular surgical patients. The study endpoint was postoperative raised troponins. Net reclassification improvement was determined for risk categories based on the Revised Cardiac Risk Index. Two reclassifications were conducted based on either the optimal discriminatory point or brain natriuretic peptide tertiles. Two hundred and sixty-seven patients were studied of whom 36 (13.5%) had raised postoperative troponin. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index score and the pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide were independent predictors of postoperative troponin elevation (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001, respectively). Reclassification based on the optimal discriminatory point significantly improved risk stratification (net reclassification improvement 38.3% (95% CI 9.3-67.3%), p = 0.01 for the entire cohort and 70.3% (95% CI 27.1-113.6%), p = 0.002 for intermediate risk patients). The brain natriuretic peptide tertiles only improved stratification of intermediate risk patients (net reclassification improvement 50.0% (95% CI 16.7-83.3%), p = 0.01). We have shown that measurement of pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide is relevant in the context of risk assessment in this cohort of patients.     

血浆N-末端脑钠肽前体水平与维持性血液透析患者容量状态无关

目的 测定维持性血液透析患者生物电阻抗与血浆N-末端脑钠肽前体水平透析前后的变化,评价N-末端脑钠肽前体水平在血透患者中血容量评估的应用价值.方法 选取我院血液净化中心30例病情稳定的维持性血液透析患者,留取透析前后血标本测定N-末端脑钠肽前体.应用生物电阻抗(英国BodyStat公司QUADSCAN 4000多频生物电阻抗分析仪)测量透析前后体水量.结果 透析后N-末端脑钠肽前体水平较透析前明显升高[分别为(6 478.93±7 503.48)与(4 692.83±4 290.62) pg/ml,P＜0.01].透析后身体成分监测值较透析前明显降低[(-0.987± 1.451)与(0.964± 1.581),P＜0.01].结论 N-末端脑钠肽前体的血浆水平与维持性血透患者血容量无关.     

Diagnostic potential of cardiac natriuretic peptides in dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: In the general population, the plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are useful to predict left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and LV systolic dysfunction. Whether these cardiac hormones have a similar diagnostic potential in dialysis patients is unknown. METHODS: We studied the diagnostic value of ANP and BNP for alterations in LV mass and function in a cohort of 246 dialysis patients without clinical evidence of heart failure. RESULTS: Both ANP and BNP were independently related to left ventricular mass (P < 0.0001) as well as to ejection fraction (P < 0.0001). In an analysis based on a prospectively defined threshold (95th percentile of the normal range), BNP had a significantly higher (P < 0.01) sensitivity (88%) than ANP (51%) for the diagnosis of LVH, but the positive predictive value of the two peptides was very similar (92 and 87%, respectively, P = NS). However, the negative predictive value of BNP for excluding LVH was 22% higher than that of ANP (53 vs. 31%, P = 0.05). Both natriuretic peptides had a high sensitivity for the detection of LV dysfunction (87 and 94%), but their positive predictive value was low (25 and 15%). Importantly, both ANP and BNP proved to be very useful for excluding this alteration (negative predictive value 97 and 96%, respectively). An analysis based on the "best cut-offs" of each peptide as identified on the basis of the ROC curves augmented the positive and negative prediction values of BNP for the diagnosis of LVH to 95 and 61%, respectively. This approach also raised the BNP-positive prediction value for the identification of LV dysfunction to 31% but did not modify the diagnostic potential of ANP (either for LVH or for LV dysfunction). CONCLUSIONS: Measuring the plasma concentration of cardiac natriuretic hormones, particularly BNP, may be useful for the identification of dialysis patients with LVH or for excluding systolic dysfunction.     

The prognostic value of oxidative stress and inflammation in Chinese hemodialysis patients

Background: There is limited information about oxidative stress and inflammation on the mortality of Chinese hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Subjects and methods: A total of 177?HD patients and 35 healthy controls were enrolled. Their demographic information, clinical characteristics, oxidant and inflammation markers were compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors for mortality.

Results: Twenty-seven (15.3%) HD patients died during the one-year follow-up. The mean age, age ≥70 years, serum level of cardiac troponin T (cTnT), malondialdehyde (MDA)?>?5?nmol/L, as well as CRP >10?mg/L and the level of interleukin (IL)-6 were significantly different between the nonsurvival and survival HD patients. Multivariate Cox's regression analysis identified age, age ≥70 years, cTnT, and IL-6 were independent predictors of mortality in HD patients.

Conclusions: Age, age ≥70 years, cTnT, and IL-6 were independent predictors of mortality in Chinese HD patients. Elevated IL-6 level, instead of MDA, was predictive of poor outcome in Chinese hemodialysis patients.     

Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive-atrial natriuretic polypeptide in patients on hemodialysis

Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive (IR)-atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) were measured before and after hemodialysis (HD) as well as isolated ultrafiltration (UF) in 9 patients with end-stage renal disease. There were significant falls in plasma concentrations of IR-ANP during both UF (from 78.6 +/- 109.7 to 45.4 +/- 56.8 pg/ml; mean +/- SD; p less than 0.025) and HDs (from 84.7 +/- 48.6 to 35.0 +/- 28.4 (p less than 0.01) on first HD; from 73.7 +/- 74.2 to 31.8 +/- 21.8 pg/ml (p less than 0.01) on later HD). There were distinct positive correlations between blood pressures and plasma concentrations of IR-ANP. These results support the view that ANP is secreted mainly by the expansion of blood volume. The fall in plasma concentrations of IR-ANP after HD seems to be caused by the decrease of blood volume, but not by removal due to dialysis of the peptide. However, the physiological role of ANP in patients with end-stage renal disease remains unknown.     

Value of brain natriuretic peptides in primary care patients with the clinical diagnosis of chronic heart failure

Introduction. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal pro natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are widely accepted to diagnose congestive heart failure (CHF) in the emergency room. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of BNP and NT-proBNP to diagnose CHF in primary care. Methods. Clinical and Doppler-echocardiographic assessment of patients referred by their general practitioner (GP) with the diagnosis of CHF. Receiver operating curves were used to evaluate the accuracy of BNP and NT-proBNP for echocardiographically confirmed systolic and/or diastolic heart failure. Results. Three hundred and eighty four patients (mean age of 65) were included. One hundred and ninety three (50%) patients had systolic heart failure and 31 (8%) had isolated diastolic heart failure. Using currently recommended cut-off values of BNP (less than 100 pg/ml) and NT-proBNP (less than 125 pg/ml) for exclusion of CHF, BNP was false negative in 25% and NT-proBNP in 10% of the patients. The area under the curve was better for NT-proBNP than for BNP (0.742 vs. 0.691). Conclusion. In this population with a high prevalence of CHF, BNP and NT-proBNP failed to adequately rule out CHF. GP's should be cautious when using BNP and NT-proBNP in primary care. An echocardiography remains compulsory in unexplained dyspnea.     

Evaluation of atrial and brain natriuretic polypeptides in association with angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in Japanese non-diabetic hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVE: Insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphisms in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene have the potential to serve as a marker for an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Increased plasma levels of human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP) are important indexes of cardiac function. The aim of this study was to examine possible relationships between I/D polymorphisms and the myocardial release of ANP and BNP in Japanese hemodialysis (HD) patients (n=131). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 131 non-diabetic hemodialysis patients. The genotype of ACE gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction with a set of specific timers. ANP and BNP levels were measured before HD. RESULTS: The plasma levels of ANP and BNP were significantly lower in the DD genotype group compared to those in the II group. Corresponding levels in the ID genotype group were intermediate between those in the DD and II groups. ACE polymorphism was associated with neither ejection fraction nor left ventricular mass/height index (LVMI), as evidenced by echocardiographic findings (n=107). Plasma levels of ANP were significantly correlated with left atrial diameter (LAD) in patients as a whole, but this correlation was only observed in the II genotype group, and not in the DD or ID groups. Plasma levels of BNP were significantly correlated with LAD, left ventricular end systolic diameter and LVMI in patients as a whole, but these correlations were seen only in the II genotype group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the plasma levels of these natriuretic peptides should be evaluated on the basis of ACE polymorphism for assessing cardiac diseases due to volume overload in Japanese HD patients.     

Correlation analysis of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To analysis the distribution and influence factors of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), and also its clinical significance though a cross-sectional survey of NT-pro BNP in maintenance hemodialysis patients in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Methods A total of 207 stable hemodialysis patients were enrolled. The clinical parameters, plasma NT-proBNP levels and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed. Results Level of plasma NT-proBNP in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were significantly higher than those without LVH[M(1/4, 3/4): 3 104(1 626, 7 843) ng/L vs 1 291(772, 1 845) ng/L, P﹤0.01]. After logarithmic transformation for skewed variables NT-proBNP, log[NT-proBNP] was negatively correlated with hemoglobin (r=-0.212, P=0.004) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)(r=-0.202, P=0.003), and was positively correlated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI)(r=0.370, P=0.001), interdialysic weight gain (IDWG) rate (r=0.233, P=0.001), predialysis systolic blood pressure (r=0.345, P=0.001), predialysis diastolic blood pressure (r=0.152, P=0.032). The areas under curve(AUC) of NT-proBNP for diagnosing LVH and IDWG﹥4% were 0.786(95%CI 0.689-0.883, P﹤0.01) and 0.738(95%CI 0.667-0.810, P﹤0.01). When the threshold of NT-proBNP was set at 1 917 ng/L to diagnosis LVH, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.676 and 0.824. When the threshold of NT-proBNP was set at 2 872 ng/L to diagnosis IDWG﹥4%, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.704 and 0.758. Conclusions NT-proBNP levels are significantly abnormality in hemodialysis patients, mainly related with LVH, the high rate of IDWG, and the poorly controlled predialysis blood pressure. Proper dry weight assessment and strict control of IDWG may be effective way to intervene NT-proBNP.     

The role of mitofilin in left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common abnormality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the progression of LVH. As an inner mitochondrial membrane structural protein, mitofilin plays a key role in maintaining mitochondrial structure and function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mitofilin and LVH in HD patients. A total of 98?HD patients and 32 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were examined. The protein level of mitofilin and the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number were estimated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The left ventricle mass index (LVMI) was evaluated in all participants, and the interaction between these variables and the LVMI was assessed. The LVMI was positively correlated with the NT-proBNP, ET-1, and ANP levels, and it was negatively correlated with mtDNA copy number and mitofilin levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that the NT-proBNP, ET-1, and ANP levels as well as mitofilin levels and mtDNA copy number were associated with the LVMI. Although further research of these associations is needed, this result suggests that LVH may affect the levels of mitofilin in HD patients.