Plasma brain-type natriuretic Peptide level following seizure and syncope: pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Transient unconsciousness is commonly caused by seizure or vasovagal syncope (VVS).
• Differentiating between these conditions is crucial for appropriate patient management.
• Plasma brain-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) has been investigated as a potential biomarker.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical feasibility of using plasma proBNP levels to differentiate seizure from VVS in adult patients.
• To determine if proBNP levels can serve as a diagnostic marker for the cause of transient loss of consciousness.

Main Methods:

• Plasma proBNP levels were measured within 24 hours of a transient unconsciousness episode.
• Patients underwent thorough clinical evaluation, including EEG, cerebral imaging, and tilt-table testing for diagnosis confirmation.
• A total of 15 seizure patients and 12 VVS patients were included in the study.

Main Results:

• Plasma proBNP concentrations were not significantly different between patients diagnosed with seizure and those with VVS (p=0.714).
• Median proBNP levels were 34.3 pg/mL (IQR: 12.9-91.1) post-seizure and 32.3 pg/mL (IQR: 8.9-77.4) post-VVS.
• ProBNP levels did not correlate with the time of sampling within 24 hours after the event.

Conclusions:

• Plasma proBNP levels have limited clinical utility in differentiating between seizure and VVS in adult patients.
• The current study suggests proBNP is not a reliable biomarker for distinguishing these two common causes of syncope.
• Larger population studies are recommended to definitively confirm the value of proBNP in this context.