Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

A Sensitive and Specific Quantitation Method for Determination of Serum Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Published on: August 8, 2013
MR characterization of cardiac abnormalities in HIV+ individuals with increased BNP levels
F Breuckmann1, K Nassenstein, J Kondratieva
1Department of Cardiology, West German Heart Center, Germany.
Objective:
To characterize cardiac abnormalities in HIV+ patients with increased serum B-type natiuretic peptide (BNP) by contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Design:
Non-blinded prospective consecutive cohort evaluation.
Methods:
More than 400 HIV+ patients were screened for potential BNP alterations. 16 met the inclusion criteria of elevated BNP levels and 12 patients could finally be enrolled. MRI analysis comprised function, oedema and late enhancement sequences.
Results:
Patients exhibited a median serum BNP level of 249 pg/ml. Based on MRI, diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (n = 3), myocarditis (n = 2), chronic myocardial infarction (n = 2), dilated cardiomyopathy (n=1) and right ventricular failure (n = 1) was made.
Conclusions:
Although no specific MR pattern was found, MR allowed characterization of the underlying cardiac pathologies in 82% of HIV+ patients with elevated BNP levels.
Related Concept Videos
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies