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[NT-PROBNP LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS: RELATION TO PORTAL HYPERTENSION AND CARDIOVASCULAR CHANGES]
N Pentiuk1, Y Mostovoy1, V Motsiuk1
1National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine.
Georgian Medical News
|September 28, 2019
Summary
Elevated NT-proBNP levels may indicate cardiac dysfunction in liver cirrhosis patients. This biomarker correlates with disease severity and cardiac abnormalities, even when symptoms are masked.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hepatology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CC) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis (LC), presenting with impaired cardiac function masked by hyperdynamic circulation and preserved ejection fraction.
- N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a known heart failure marker, but its diagnostic utility in CC requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate NT-proBNP levels in patients with LC.
- To assess the relationship between NT-proBNP and liver disease severity, cardiac dysfunction, and hemodynamic alterations.
Main Methods:
- The study included 90 patients with LC.
- Echocardiography and serum NT-proBNP levels were measured.
- Correlations were analyzed with clinical parameters (CTP, MELD, albumin) and hemodynamic indices (CI, EDV, LVMI, E/A).
Main Results:
- Serum NT-proBNP levels increased with LC decompensation (Child-Pugh classes A, B, C).
- Highest NT-proBNP levels were observed in patients with refractory ascites, esophageal varices, hepatorenal syndrome, and hypoalbuminemia.
- NT-proBNP showed significant correlations with CTP, MELD, albumin, portal vein diameter, eGFR, CI, EDV, LVMI, and E/A.
Conclusions:
- Elevated NT-proBNP levels can serve as an indicator of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis.
- NT-proBNP may help identify cardiac abnormalities in LC patients, even when masked by other clinical signs.
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