Cautious Application of Pleural N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure Pleural Effusions among Critically Ill Patients

Background and Objective

Several studies on diagnostic accuracy of pleural N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) for effusions from congestive heart failure (CHF) conclude that pleural NT-pro-BNP is a useful biomarker with high diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing CHF effusions. However, its applicability in critical care settings remains uncertain and requires further investigations.

Methods

NT-proBNP was measured in pleural fluid samples of a prospective cohort of intensive care unit patients with pleural effusions. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine diagnostic accuracy of pleural NT-proBNP for prediction of CHF effusions.

Results

One hundred forty-seven critically ill patients were evaluated, 38 (26%) with CHF effusions and 109 (74%) with non-CHF effusions of various causes. Pleural NT-proBNP levels were significantly elevated in patients with CHF effusions. Pleural NT-pro-BNP demonstrated the area under the curve of 0.87 for diagnosing effusions due to CHF. With a cutoff of 2200 pg/mL, pleural NT-proBNP displayed high sensitivity (89%) but moderate specificity (73%). Notably, 29 (27%) of 109 patients with non-CHF effusions had pleural NT-proBNP levels >2200 pg/mL and these patients were more likely to experience septic shock (18/29 vs. 10/80, P<0.001) or acute kidney injury (19/29 vs. 9/80, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Among critically ill patients, pleural NT-proBNP measurements remain a useful diagnostic aid in evaluation of pleural effusions. However, patients with non-CHF effusions may exhibit high pleural NT-proBNP concentrations if they suffer from septic shock or acute kidney injury. Accordingly, it is suggested that clinical context should be taken into account when interpreting pleural NT-proBNP values in critical care settings.     

High N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels Are Associated with Reduced Heart Rate Variability in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Aim

We investigated the relationships between the autonomic nervous system, as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) and levels of N-terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (Nt-proBNP) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods and Results

The mean of standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN), the percentage of RR intervals with >50 ms variation (pNN50), square root of mean squared differences of successive RR intervals (rMSSD), and frequency domain parameters (total power (TP), high frequency and low frequency power ratio (LF/HF)) were assessed by 24 h Holter ECG monitoring. 1018 consecutive patients admitted <24 h for an acute MI were included. Plasma Nt-proBNP (Elecsys, Roche) was measured from blood samples taken on admission. The median (IQR) Nt-proBNP level was 681(159–2432) pmol/L. Patients with the highest quartile of Nt-proBNP were older, with higher rate of risk factors and lower ejection fraction. The highest Nt-proBNP quartile group had the lowest SDNN, LF/HF and total power but similar pNN50 and rMSSD levels. Nt-proBNP levels correlated negatively with SDNN (r = −0.19, p<0.001), LF/HF (r = −0.37, p<0.001), and LF (r = −0.29, p<0.001) but not HF (r = −0.043, p = 0.172). Multiple regression analysis showed that plasma propeptide levels remained predictive of LF/HF (B(SE) = −0.065(0.015), p<0.001)), even after adjustment for confounders.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our population-based study highlights the importance of Nt-proBNP levels to predict decreased HRV after acute MI.     

B型钠尿肽与心力衰竭研究现状

B型钠尿肽作为诊断充血性心力衰竭的一种生化指标,受到临床工作者的高度关注.本文详细综述了B型钠尿肽的生物特性、体内代谢、生理功能、实验室检测和在心力衰竭诊断、鉴别诊断、治疗、预后评价的应用.以及B型钠尿肽在实验室检测和临床应用中存在的问题.     

Serial Measurements of N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Objective

To assess the prognostic value of 12-months N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) levels on adverse cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Methods

NT-proBNP concentrations were measured at baseline and at 12-months follow-up in participants of cardiac rehabilitation (median follow-up 8.96 years). Cox-proportional hazards models evaluated the prognostic value of log-transformed NT-proBNP levels, and of 12-months NT-proBNP relative changes on adverse cardiovascular events adjusting for established risk factors measured at baseline.

Results

Among 798 participants (84.7% men, mean age 59 years) there were 114 adverse cardiovascular events. 12-months NT-proBNP levels were higher than baseline levels in 60 patients (7.5%) and numerically more strongly associated with the outcome in multivariable analysis (HR 1.65 [95% CI 1.33–2.05] vs. HR 1.41 [95% CI 1.12–1.78], with a net reclassification improvement (NRI) of 0.098 [95% CI 0.002–0.194] compared to NRI of 0.047 [95% CI −0.0004–0.133] for baseline NT-proBNP levels. A 12-month 10% increment of NT-proBNP was associated with a HR of 1.35 [95% CI 1.12–1.63] for the onset of an adverse cardiovascular event. Subjects with a 12-month increment of NT-proBNP had a HR of 2.56 [95% CI 1.10–5.95] compared to those with the highest 12-months reduction.

Conclusions

Twelve-months NT-proBNP levels after an acute cardiovascular event are strongly associated with a subsequent event and may provide numerically better reclassification of patients at risk for an adverse cardiovascular event compared to NT-proBNP baseline levels after adjustment for established risk factors.     

Higher Serum Concentrations of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Associate with Prevalent Hypertension whereas Lower Associate with Incident Hypertension

BackgroundThe role of the natriuretic peptides (NPs) in hypertension is complex. Thus, a higher blood NP concentration is a robust marker of pressure-induced cardiac damage in patients with hypertension, whereas genetically elevated NP concentrations are associated with a reduced risk of hypertension and overweight individuals presumably at high risk of hypertension have lower NP concentrations.ObjectiveTo investigate the associations between serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), used as a surrogate marker for active BNP, and prevalent as well as 5-year incident hypertension in a Danish general population sample.MethodsCross-sectional and prospective population-based study.ResultsAt baseline, among 5,307 participants (51.3% women, mean age 46.0±7.9 years) with a complete set of data, we recorded 1,979 cases with prevalent hypertension (PHT). Among 2,389 normotensive participants at baseline with a complete set of data, we recorded 324 cases with incident hypertension (IHT) on follow-up 5 years later. In models adjusted for age, sex, lifestyle, social, dietary, anthropometric, pulmonic, lipid, metabolic and renal risk factors, as well as heart rate and baseline blood pressure (only incident model), one standard deviation increase in baseline log-transformed NT-proBNP concentrations was on one side associated with a 21% higher risk of PHT (odds ratio [OR]: 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.30], P<0.001), and on the other side with a 14% lower risk of IHT (OR: 0.86 [95%CI:0.76-0.98], P = 0.020).ConclusionsHigher serum concentrations of NT-proBNP associate with PHT whereas lower concentrations associate with IHT. This suggests that a lower amount of circulating BNP, resulting in diminished vasodilation and natriuresis, could be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension in its early stages.     

Reference Intervals for N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Amniotic Fluid between 10 and 34 Weeks of Gestation

Background

In adult and pediatric cardiology, n-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (nt-proBNP) serves as biomarker in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular dysfunction. Elevated levels of circulating nt-proBNP are present in fetal conditions associated with myocardial pressure or volume load. Compared to fetal blood sampling, amniocentesis is technically easier and can be performed from early pregnancy onwards. We aimed to investigate amniotic fluid (AF) nt-proBNP concentrations in normal pregnancies between 10 and 34 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Nt-proBNP and total protein (TP) was measured in AF by chemiluminescence assay (photometry, respectively). To adjust for a potential dilutional effect, the AF-nt-proBNP/AF-TP ratio was analyzed. Reference intervals were constructed by regression modeling across gestational age.

Results

132 samples were analyzed. A negative correlation between AF-nt-proBNP/AF-TP ratio and gestational age was observed. Curves for the mean and the 5% and 95% reference interval between 10 and 34 weeks of gestation were established.

Conclusion

In normal pregnancy, nt-proBNP is present in AF and decreases during gestation. Our data provide the basis for research on AF-nt-proBNP as biomarker in fetal medicine.     

Consistent Changes in the Circadian Rhythms of Blood Pressure and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Congestive Heart Failure

We demonstrated in previous works that the circadian rhythms of blood pressure (BP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are antiphasic in normal subjects and in essential hypertension. The aim of the present study was to assess the circadian rhythms of BP and ANP in 20 patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF), divided into two groups of 10 according to their New York Heart Association functional class. A matched control group of 10 normal volunteers was also studied. Noninvasive BP monitoring at 15-min intervals was performed for 24 h. Peripheral blood samples were also obtained at 4-h intervals starting from 08:OO h. The mean (±SEM) circadian mesors of ANP plasma levels were 13.4 ± 1.7 pmol/L in the control group, 28.6 ± 2.4 pmol/L in the group of 10 patients in class 11, and 81.5 ± 12 pmol/L in the group of 10 patients in class 111-IV. In normal subjects, plasma ANP concentration was highest at 04:OO h (21.5 ± 2.7 pmol/L) and lowest at 16:OO h (8.8 ± 2.4 pmol/L; p < 0.01). Both groups of patients with CHF showed no significant circadian change in the plasma levels of ANP and also a significantly blunted circadian rhythm of BP. Cosinor analysis confirmed the loss of the circadian rhythms of ANP and BP in CHF patients. Our findings support the existence of a causal relationship between the circadian rhythms of ANP and BP.     

Predictive Values of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Cardiac Troponin I for Myocardial Fibrosis in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

Background

Both high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and B-type natriuretic peptide are useful in detecting myocardial fibrosis, as determined by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, their values to predict myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) remain unclear. We investigated the role of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) to identify LGE-CMR in patients with HOCM.

Methods

Peripheral concentrations of NT-proBNP and cTnI were determined in patients with HOCM (n = 163; age = 47.2 ± 10.8 years; 38.7% females). Contrast-enhanced CMR was performed to identify and quantify myocardial fibrosis.

Results

LGE was detected in 120 of 163 patients (73.6%). Patients with LGE had significantly higher levels of NT-proBNP and cTnI than those without LGE (1386.2 [904.6–2340.8] vs. 866.6 [707.2–1875.2] pmol/L, P = 0.003; 0.024 [0.010–0.049] vs. 0.010 [0.005–0.021] ng/ml, P <0.001, respectively). The extent of LGE was positively correlated with log cTnI (r = 0.371, P <0.001) and log NT-proBNP (r = 0.211, P = 0.007). On multivariable analysis, both log cTnI and maximum wall thickness (MWT) were independent predictors of the presence of LGE (OR = 3.193, P = 0.033; OR = 1.410, P < 0.001, respectively), whereas log NT-proBNP was not. According to the ROC curve analysis, combined measurements of MWT ≥21 mm and/or cTnI ≥0.025ng/ml indicated good diagnostic performance for the presence of LGE, with specificity of 95% or sensitivity of 88%.

Conclusions

Serum cTnI is an independent predictor useful for identifying myocardial fibrosis, while plasma NT-proBNP is only associated with myocardial fibrosis on univariate analysis. Combined measurements of serum cTnI with MWT further improve its value in detecting myocardial fibrosis in patients with HOCM.     

重组人脑利钠肽治疗慢性充血性心衰的临床疗效观察

目的:观察重组人脑利钠肽(rhBNP)治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭的临床治疗效果及安全性.方法:选取147例慢性充血性心衰患者,随机分为rhBNP治疗组(n=78)和硝普钠(SN)治疗组(n=69),观察治疗后2周两组的临床治疗效果,并检测治疗前后的心、肾功能及血清BNP水平的变化.结果:治疗后2周,rhBNP治疗组显效率(80.77％)及总有效率(94.87％)均高于SN治疗组(分别65.22％和86.96％;P＜0.05),差异有统计学意义;rhBNP组的左心室射血分数(LVEF)与治疗前相比显著升高(P＜0.05),与SN组相比有显著性差异(P＜0.05);而rhBNP组血清BNP水平较治疗前显著降低(P＜0.05),且较SN组比有显著性降低(P＜0.05).结论:rhBNP可以安全、有效地用于慢性充血性心衰患者的治疗,疗效优于硝普钠.     

瑞舒伐他汀治疗慢性心力衰竭80例疗效观察

目的：评价瑞舒伐他汀治疗慢性心力衰竭的疗效。方法：选取2009年6月-2010年9月住院的心力衰竭患者80例,随机分为瑞舒伐他汀治疗组和对照组,对照组采用常规内科治疗。瑞舒伐他汀治疗组在常规内科治疗的基础上加用瑞舒伐他汀治疗。观察两组患者左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）,左心室射血分数（LVEF及临床疗效。结果：两组治疗前LVEDD及LVEF水平比较无差异（P〉0.05）,治疗后两组LVEDD水平明显下降,LVEF水平明显升高（P〈0.05）,瑞舒伐他汀治疗后LVEDD及LVEF水平改善均明显优于对照组（P〈0.05）。瑞舒伐他汀组临床疗效高于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论：瑞舒伐他汀可以改善慢性心力衰竭患者的心脏功能。     

老年慢性心力衰竭患者肿瘤坏死因子、脑钠肽水平变化及其相关性分析

目的：探讨老年慢性心力衰竭（CHF）肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）以及脑利钠肽水平的变化,并对其进行相关性分析。方法：选择老年CHF患者59例,根据心功能分级,Ⅱ级19例,Ⅲ级25例,Ⅳ级15例;另选心功能正常的老年人36例。所有入选者予以血清BNP、TNF-α测定,并采用彩色多普勒超声测定左心室舒张末内径并计算左室射血分数（LVEF）。结果：与对照组比较,CHF组心功能Ⅲ、Ⅳ级患者TNF-α水平明显升高（P〈0．05）,心功能Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ级患者血BNP水平明显升高（P〈0．05）,并随心功能分级加重而增加。血TNF-α水平与BNP呈正相关（r=0．57,P〈0．05）。CHF患者中血清TNF-α和BNP水平与LVEF比较均呈负相关（F-0．48,r=-0．64,P〈0．05）。结论：老年CHF患者血TNF-α显著升高,并与BNP及LVEF关系密切,是反应CHF患者心功能恶化的重要预测指标。     

B型利钠肽在心衰应用的研究进展

利钠肽（natriuretic peptides，NPs）的发现已有30年历史，其中B型利钠肽（B-type natriuretic peptide，BNP）及氨基末端脑钠肽前体（ N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide，NT-proBNP）的临床应用对心血管疾病诊治具有里程碑意义，特别是对心衰的综合价值最高。BNP具备强大的心血管保护效应，但心衰后BNP水平大幅升高，却没展现出相应的活性，被称为“利钠肽悖论”。近几年，随着质谱、核磁共振技术的运用，逐渐从代谢途径和检测技术上解开了“利钠肽悖论”这一谜题：外周循环中存在多种不同生物活性的BNP亚型且心衰后的BNP代谢与生理状态下不同。所以，纵然检测到心衰后BNP大幅升高，但本质上是由于传统检测技术的瓶颈，使各类BNP亚型与检测试剂交叉反应，活性成分被高估而造成假阳性。因此，要加强对BNP在病理生理等不同情况下的认识，还要借助生物化学手段建立具有敏感性和特异性的检测方法来识别BNP_1-32、BNP_1-30、BNP_3-32及B型利钠肽原（pro-B-type natriuretic peptide，proBNP）等特殊形式。从而有助于探索心衰更深层次的病理生理机制，还可协助临床对心衰的诊断及预后做出更准确的判断。     

老年男性慢性心衰患者在标准化抗心衰治疗后血浆脑利钠肽水平的分布及其影响因素

目的:探讨老年男性慢性心衰患者在经过标准化抗心衰治疗后的血浆脑利钠肽水平的分布及其影响因素.方法:选取我院高干病房心内科65例老年男性慢性心衰患者,收集患者一般资料、入院后检查结果及药物治疗情况,包括:年龄、有无心衰相关性疾病(高血压、糖尿病、冠心病、肾功能不全)、入院时心率、血压,入院后血肌酐、电解质、胸片有无肺淤血、超声心动图指标(ESV,EDV,EF)、出院前血浆BNP水平以及住院期间的药物治疗情况(主要指β-受体阻滞剂,ACEI或者ARB,强心剂、利尿剂等).住院期间给予标准化抗心衰治疗并在出院前检测血浆BNP水平,按BNP水平将患者分成高BNP组(BNP＞463 pg/ml)和正常BNP组(BNP≤ 463 pg/ml),比较两组间各研究因素分布有无差异,并对BNP水平与各因素之间的相关性进行统计分析.结果:经过标准化抗心衰治疗,出院时高BNP组患者44例(67.69％),这部分患者更多的伴有血压低、心率快、高肺动脉压、肺淤血的胸片表现.同时还发现高BNP组的患者中房颤及冠心病的发病率也偏高.对BNP的影响因素进行多元线性回归分析后得出房颤、低收缩压、肺淤血、高肌酐为出院时高BNP水平的影响因素.结论:在不同BNP分组中多个研究因素的分布有显著统计学差异,提示老年男性慢性心衰患者伴有低血压、房颤、高肌酐、肺淤血是出院时高血浆BNP的危险因素,需要给予密切的医疗关注和治疗.     

老年慢性心力衰竭患者肿瘤坏死因子、脑钠肽水平变化及其相关性分析*

摘要目的：探讨老年慢性心力衰竭（CHF）肿瘤坏死因子琢（TNF-α）以及脑利钠肽水平的变化,并对其进行相关性分析。方法：选 择老年CHF患者59 例,根据心功能分级,Ⅱ级19 例,Ⅲ级25 例,Ⅳ级15 例;另选心功能正常的老年人36例。所有入选者予以血 清BNP、TNF-α测定,并采用彩色多普勒超声测定左心室舒张末内径并计算左室射血分数（LVEF）。结果：与对照组比较,CHF组 心功能Ⅲ、Ⅳ级患者TNα-琢水平明显升高（P＜0.05）,心功能Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ级患者血BNP水平明显升高（P＜0.05）,并随心功能分级加 重而增加。血TNF-α水平与BNP 呈正相关（r=0.57,P＜0.05）。CHF患者中血清TNF-α和BNP 水平与LVEF比较均呈负相关 （r=-0.48, r=-0.64, P＜0.05）。结论：老年CHF患者血TNF-α显著升高,并与BNP及LVEF关系密切,是反应CHF患者心功能恶化 的重要预测指标。     

肾脏去神经化在心力衰竭治疗中的研究进展

生理情况下,心脏和肾脏在血流动力学和神经激素等调节中相互作用,对于循环系统的稳态维持起重要作用。但在充血性心力衰竭的病理情况下,心脏和肾脏之间存在明显的调节紊乱。首先,急性失代偿性心力衰竭的患者住院治疗的研究结果证明其有一定程度的肾脏失调。其次,慢性充血性心力衰竭时肾脏交感神经系统也起到重要作用:肾脏交感纤维活性增强可导致肾素的释放、钠水潴留、肾血流的降低、血管阻力增加、左心室重塑、左心功能失调等。众所周知,肾脏交感神经切除术可以减低血压和改善心脏功能,但是由于有创的手术方式限制了其应用。过去两年间,随着新的导管消融肾脏去神经化技术的日益完善,其有望成为治疗高血压病和心力衰竭的手段。在此,本文综述了心力衰竭时肾脏交感传入神经和传出神经的发病机理,对目前进行的经导管肾脏去神经化治疗慢性心力衰竭的基础及临床试验进行安全性及有效性评价。提示我们经导管肾脏去神经化有望成为心力衰竭治疗的新靶点。     

Impact of Body Mass Index on Plasma N-Terminal ProB-Type Natriuretic Peptides in Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Patients without Heart Failure

Background

An inverse relationship between body mass index (BMI) and circulating levels of N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been demonstrated in subjects with and without heart failure. Obesity also has been linked with increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), but its influence on NT-proBNP concentrations in AF patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of BMI on NT-proBNP levels in AF patients without heart failure.

Methods

A total of 239 consecutive patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation were evaluated. Levels of NT-proBNP and clinical characteristics were compared in overweight or obese (BMI≥25 kg/m²) and normal weight (BMI<25 kg/m²) patients.

Results

Of 239 patients, 129 (54%) were overweight or obese. Overweight or obese patients were younger, more likely to have a history of nonparoxysmal AF, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Levels of NT-proBNP were significantly lower in overweight or obese than in normal weight subjects (P<0.05). The relationship of obesity and decreased NT-proBNP levels persisted in subgroup of hypertension, both gender and both age levels (≥65 yrs and <65 yrs).Multivariate linear regression identified BMI as an independent negative correlate of LogNT-proBNP level.

Conclusions

An inverse relationship between BMI and plasma NT-proBNP concentrations have been demonstrated in AF patients without heart failure. Overweight or obese patients with AF appear to have lower NT-proBNP levels than normal weight patients.     

Association of N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide with Cognitive Function and Depression in Elderly People with Type 2 Diabetes

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with risk of congestive heart failure (CHF), cognitive dysfunction and depression. CHF itself is linked both to poor cognition and depression. The ventricular N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a marker of CHF, suggesting potential as a marker for cognitive impairment and/or depression. This was tested in the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study (ET2DS).

Methodology and Principal Findings

Cross-sectional analysis of 1066 men and women aged 60–75 with type 2 diabetes. Results from seven neuropsychological tests were combined in a standardised general cognitive ability factor, ‘g’. A vocabulary-based test estimated pre-morbid cognitive ability. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessed possible depression. After adjustment for age and sex, raised plasma NT-proBNP was weakly associated with lower ‘g’ and higher depression scores (ß −0.09, 95% CI −0.13 to −0.03, p = 0.004 and ß 0.08, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.12, p<0.001, respectively). Comparing extreme quintiles of NT-proBNP, subjects in the highest quintile were more likely to have reduced cognitive ability (within the lowest tertile of ‘g’) and ‘possible’ depression (HADS depression ≥8) (OR 1.80; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.70; p = 0.005 and OR 2.18; 95% CI: 1.28, 3.71; p = 0.004, respectively). Associations persisted when pre-morbid ability was adjusted for, but as expected were no longer statistically significant following the adjustment for diabetes-related and vascular co-variates (β −0.02, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.03, p>0.05 for ‘g’; β 0.03, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.07, p>0.05 for depression scores).

Conclusion

Raised plasma NT-proBNP was weakly but statistically significantly associated with poorer cognitive function and depression. The prospective phases of the ET2DS will help determine whether or not NT-proBNP can be considered a risk marker for subsequent cognitive impairment and incident depression and whether it provides additional information over and above traditional risk factors for these conditions.     

血清肌钙蛋白I、N端前体脑钠肽和高敏C反应蛋白水平在充血性心力衰竭中的临床意义

目的：探讨血清肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）、N端前体脑钠肽（NT-proBNP）和高敏c反应蛋白（hs—CRP）水平在充血性心力衰竭（CHF）中的临床意义。方法：选取2010年1月-2012年12月在我院诊治的CHF患者210例（CHF组）,心功能按纽约心脏病协会（NYHA）分级：Ⅱ级88例、Ⅲ级96例和Ⅳ级26例。同时选取同期在我院行健康体检的自愿者30例为健康对照组。观察和比较两组血清hs．CRP、cTnI和NT．proBNP水平的差异及其与CHF患者心功能的心功能分级的相关系。结果：CHF组患者的血清hs-CRP．cTnI和NT．proBNP水平均较对照组明显增高,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．0t）,且CHF患者的血清hs—CRP、cTnI和NT—proBNP水平随着心功能分级的增加而升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。血浆hs—cI冲（F0．694,P〈0．01）水平,cTnI（r=0．782,P〈0．01）水平均与NT—proBNP水平呈显著正相关,血浆hs．CRP和cTnI水平也呈显著正相关（r==0．649,P〈0．01）。结论：CHF患者的血清hs—CRP、cTnI和NT-proBNP水平与其心功能分级显著相关,有助于评估CHF患者心功能不全的严重程度,可能与CHF患者的预后相关。     

循证医学在慢性充血性心力衰竭药物治疗中的应用

循证医学(evidence-based medicine,EBM)是近年来国际临床医学领域迅速发展起来的新学科,强调"为每位病人作出医疗决定时,应明确而仔细地使用现有的最好证据"。本文利用循证医学的方法,参照若干著名的大规模多中心的随机对照试验(ran- domized controlled trial,RCT)来评估目前几类临床常用药物在治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭中的作用,试图找出针对不同NYHA等级患者的最佳治疗建议。     

N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Is Associated with a Future Diagnosis of Cancer in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Objective

Several papers have reported elevated plasma levels of natriuretic peptides in patients with a previous diagnosis of cancer. We have explored whether N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels predict a future diagnosis of cancer in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

We studied 699 patients with CAD free of cancer. At baseline, NT-proBNP, galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I plasma levels were assessed. The primary outcome was new cancer diagnosis. The secondary outcome was cancer diagnosis, heart failure requiring hospitalization, or death.

Results

After 2.15±0.98 years of follow-up, 24 patients developed cancer. They were older (68.5 [61.5, 75.8] vs 60.0 [52.0, 72.0] years; p=0.011), had higher NT-proBNP (302.0 [134.8, 919.8] vs 165.5 [87.4, 407.5] pg/ml; p=0.040) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (3.27 [1.33, 5.94] vs 1.92 [0.83, 4.00] mg/L; p=0.030), and lower triglyceride (92.5 [70.5, 132.8] vs 112.0 [82.0, 157.0] mg/dl; p=0.044) plasma levels than those without cancer. NT-proBNP (Hazard Ratio [HR]=1.030; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.008-1.053; p=0.007) and triglyceride levels (HR=0.987; 95%CI=0.975-0.998; p=0.024) were independent predictors of a new cancer diagnosis (multivariate Cox regression analysis). When patients in whom the suspicion of cancer appeared in the first one-hundred days after blood extraction were excluded, NT-proBNP was the only predictor of cancer (HR=1.061; 95%CI=1.034-1.088; p<0.001). NT-proBNP was an independent predictor of cancer, heart failure, or death (HR=1.038; 95%CI=1.023-1.052; p<0.001) along with age, and use of insulin and acenocumarol.

Conclusions

NT-proBNP is an independent predictor of malignancies in patients with CAD. New studies in large populations are needed to confirm these findings.