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[BNP in HIV-infected patients]
Till Neumann1, Nico Reinsch, Kathrin Neuhaus
1Klinik für Kardiologie, Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum, Essen, Germany. till.neumann@uk-essen.de
Insights
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) effectively detects cardiac disorders in HIV-infected patients. This biomarker aids in screening for HIV-associated cardiovascular conditions, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomarker Research
Context:
- HIV infection is linked to increased cardiac disease risk.
- Antiretroviral therapy can contribute to cardiovascular complications.
- Understanding cardiac risk in HIV patients is crucial.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the impact of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in HIV-infected patients.
- To assess BNP's utility in detecting cardiac disorders within this population.
Summary:
- The prospective HIV-HEART study included 802 HIV-infected patients.
- BNP levels correlated with echocardiographic parameters, including right ventricular diameter and pulmonary arterial pressure.
- Elevated BNP (>50 pg/ml) was significantly associated with higher rates of heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease.
Impact:
- BNP is a suitable biomarker for detecting cardiac disorders in HIV-infected individuals.
- BNP can be utilized in screening programs for HIV-associated cardiovascular conditions.
- This facilitates early detection and management of heart disease in the HIV population.
Background And Purpose:
HIV-infected patients exhibit an increased rate of cardiac diseases, due to an elevated rate of cardiac risk factors and side effects of antiretroviral therapy. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in this patient population.
Patients And Methods:
The HIV-HEART (HIV infection and HEART disease) study is a prospective and multicenter cohort study. Outpatients with a known HIV infection were included over a 20-month recruiting period. BNP values were determined by a standardized laboratory test at study inclusion.
Results:
802 HIV-infected patients (male: 83.4%, mean age: 44.2 +/- 10.3 years) were included. The BNP concentrations (median 11.3 pg/ml; BNP < or = 100 pg/ml: 96.2%) were associated with echocardiographic parameters and with the right ventricular diameter (p = 0.02) and the systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (p = 0.01). Patients with a BNP concentration of > 50 pg/ml had a significantly higher rate of heart failure (p < 0.001), cardiomyopathy (p < 0.001), and coronary artery disease (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
The data demonstrate that BNP is suitable for the detection of cardiac disorders in HIV-infected subjects. Therefore, BNP could be an appropriate tool for a screening program for HIV-associated disorders in this patient population.
