[NT-PROBNP LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS: RELATION TO PORTAL HYPERTENSION AND CARDIOVASCULAR CHANGES]

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Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
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Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Published on: June 18, 2020

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N Pentiuk1, Y Mostovoy1, V Motsiuk1

  • 1National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine.

Georgian Medical News
|September 28, 2019
PubMed

Insights

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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