Relationship between NT-proBNP and cardio-renal dysfunction in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis

ProBNP is a sensitive marker of cardiac dysfunction. We assessed the concentration of circulating NT-proBNP in patients with liver cirrhosis in various stages of the disease and its correlation with markers of cardiac and renal dysfunction and with markers of liver disease severity.

A number of 88 patients with liver cirrhosis were included in the study, divided into 3 groups: group 1--18 control patients without ascites; group 2--35 non-azotemic patients with ascites; group 3--35 patients with hepatorenal syndrome. The cardiac dysfunction was assessed by measuring the NT-proBNP serum levels and the QTc interval. The markers of renal dysfunction were the estimated glomerular filtration rates--formulas involving creatinine and serum cystatin C. The Child-Pugh score was used to assess the liver disease severity.

The median NT-proBNP serum levels significantly increased in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis (group 3: 960 fmol/ml and group 2: 660 fmol/ml) as compared to group 1 (435 fmol/ml) (p<0.05). A significant direct correlation was found between the NT-proBNP concentration and the QTc interval (r=0.540, p<0.001). The NT-proBNP levels also correlated with the Child-Pugh score (r=0.501, p<0.01), proving the link between the cardiac dysfunction and the liver disease severity. The cardio-renal interrelation is supported by the relationship between the NT-proBNP concentration and the estimated clearances.

The high NT-proBNP levels in patients with advanced cirrhosis indicate the presence of cardiac dysfunction, which has a role in the pathogenesis of the hepatorenal syndrome.