Universiẗat, Diss., 2004--München.

In dieser post-hoc Analyse der Deutschen Diabetes und Dialyse Studie wurde der Einfluss von NT-proBNP und Troponin T auf plötzlichen Herztod, Schlaganfall, Myokardinfarkt und die Gesamtmortalität während vierjähriger Studiendauer bei 1255 Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 an der Hämodialyse analysiert. Des Weiteren wurde die Bedeutung einer longitudinalen Messung der Biomarker nach 6 Monaten auf die Endpunkte untersucht. Patienten mit dem höchsten NT-proBNP respektive Troponin T wiesen die größte Ereignisrate für plötzlichen Herztod, Schlaganfall und die Gesamtmortalität auf. In der multivariaten Regressionsanalyse waren sowohl NT-proBNP als auch Troponin T jeweils starke unabhängige Prädiktoren für plötzlichen Herztod, Schlaganfall und die Gesamtmortalität. Eine Assoziation von NT-proBNP mit dem Auftreten von Myokardinfarkten wurde nicht gesehen. Nicht nur ein hoher Ausgangswert der Biomarker, sondern auch eine Zunahme von NT-proBNP und Troponin T nach 6 Monaten waren assoziiert mit einer schlechteren Langzeitprognose / This post-hoc analysis of the German Diabetes and Dialysis study examined the effect of baseline and change from baseline after 6 months of NT-proBNP and Troponin T on sudden death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality in 1255 hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with a median follow up of 4 years. Patients with increasing baseline NT-proBNP and Troponin T exhibited a higher risk of sudden death, stroke, and all-cause mortality. In multivariate regression analysis both, NT-proBNP and Troponin T, were independent predictors of sudden death, stroke, and all-cause mortality. Neither baseline nor change in NT-proBNP was significantly associated with myocardial infarction. Increased longitudinal levels of NT-proBNP and Troponin T during follow up were associated with higher risks of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and death.

Universiẗat, Diss., 2004--München.

Orientador: Vera Therezinha Medeiros Borges / Resumo: Objetivo: Determinar o valor da concentração do BNP que se associa à presença de hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) em mulheres com pré-eclâmpsia (PE). Métodos: Realizou-se estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal em gestantes com diagnóstico de pré-eclâmpsia, que receberam assistência obstétrica no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - Unesp. Foram excluídas do estudo gestantes portadoras de patologia clínica ou gestacional associada a alterações cardiovasculares (diabetes, hipertensão arterial crônica, cardiopatias, colagenoses, nefropatias). Considerando a prevalência de hipertrofia concêntrica do VE nessa população de 27% e assumindo a margem de erro de 10% e confiabilidade de 95%, o tamanho amostral calculado foi de 76 gestantes. No momento do diagnóstico de PE as gestantes selecionadas foram submetidas à coleta de sangue venoso para determinação da concentração sérica de BNP e ao exame de ecocardiograma para identificação de hipertrofia concêntrica do VE. As correlações entre o índice de massa do VE (iMVE) e entre a espessura relativa da parede (ER) e o BNP foram realizadas pelo teste de Spearman. O ponto de corte da concentração do BNP, que identifica hipertrofia concêntrica do VE, foi estabelecido pela curva ROC, utilizando-se o programa estatístico SPSS for Windows. Resultados: A hipertrofia concêntrica do ventrículo esquerdo foi diagnosticada em 48,7% das gestantes. O ponto de corte do valor da concentração do BNP, que identifica a ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

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Agradecemos a compreensão. on 2017-07-26T19:10:07Z (GMT) / Submitted by JULIANE ROSA POIATI null (jpoiati@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-07-27T00:19:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Pronta recente.pdf: 1203025 bytes, checksum: 3f33e46e228494eaa8c4c9ba0d1246d1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-07-31T14:34:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 poiati_jr_dr_bot.pdf: 1203025 bytes, checksum: 3f33e46e228494eaa8c4c9ba0d1246d1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-31T14:34:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 poiati_jr_dr_bot.pdf: 1203025 bytes, checksum: 3f33e46e228494eaa8c4c9ba0d1246d1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-26 / Objetivo: Determinar o valor da concentração do BNP que se associa à presença de hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) em mulheres com pré-eclâmpsia (PE). Métodos: Realizou-se estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal em gestantes com diagnóstico de pré-eclâmpsia, que receberam assistência obstétrica no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - Unesp. Foram excluídas do estudo gestantes portadoras de patologia clínica ou gestacional associada a alterações cardiovasculares (diabetes, hipertensão arterial crônica, cardiopatias, colagenoses, nefropatias). Considerando a prevalência de hipertrofia concêntrica do VE nessa população de 27% e assumindo a margem de erro de 10% e confiabilidade de 95%, o tamanho amostral calculado foi de 76 gestantes. No momento do diagnóstico de PE as gestantes selecionadas foram submetidas à coleta de sangue venoso para determinação da concentração sérica de BNP e ao exame de ecocardiograma para identificação de hipertrofia concêntrica do VE. As correlações entre o índice de massa do VE (iMVE) e entre a espessura relativa da parede (ER) e o BNP foram realizadas pelo teste de Spearman. O ponto de corte da concentração do BNP, que identifica hipertrofia concêntrica do VE, foi estabelecido pela curva ROC, utilizando-se o programa estatístico SPSS for Windows. Resultados: A hipertrofia concêntrica do ventrículo esquerdo foi diagnosticada em 48,7% das gestantes. O ponto de corte do valor da concentração do BNP, que identifica a hipertrofia concêntrica do VE, foi 203pg/mL (sensibilidade de 88%, especificidade de 80%, valor preditivo positivo de 69%, valor preditivo negativo de 93% e acurácia de 83%). A área sob a curva foi 0,87 (IC 95%= 0,79 – 0,95). A correlação entre o iMVE e a ER com a concentração do BNP foi significativa (iMVE: r=0,49; p<0,0001; ER: r=0,50; p<0,0001). Conclusões: O presente estudo encontrou correlação positiva entre os valores de BNP e hipertrofia do VE, além de determinar o ponto de corte (203 pg/ml) para o diagnóstico dessa condição. Utilizar o BNP como rastreamento de hipertrofia do VE pode ajudar na racionalização da indicação do ecocardiograma para confirmação diagnóstica. / Objective: To determine BNP concentration value associated with the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LV) in women with pre-eclampsia (PE). Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia, who have received obstetric care at Botucatu Medical School Clinical Hospital - Unesp. Pregnant women with clinical or gestational pathology associated with cardiovascular alterations such as diabetes, chronic hypertension, heart diseases, collagenosis, nephropathies were excluded from the study. Considering the prevalence of LV concentric hypertrophy in this population of 27% and assuming the margin of error of 10%, as well as reliability of 95%, the calculated sample size was of 76 pregnant women. At the moment of PE diagnosis the selected pregnant women were submitted to both venous blood collection (in order to determine BNP serum concentration) and to echocardiogram examination (to identify LV concentric hypertrophy). Correlations between LV mass index (iMVL), relative wall thickness (WT) and BNP were performed with Spearman test. The cut off of BNP concentration, which identifies LV concentric hypertrophy, was established with ROC curve, using the statistical program SPSS for Windows. Results: Left ventricular concentric hypertrophy was diagnosed in 48.7% of the pregnant women. The cut off value of BNP concentration, which identifies LV concentric hypertrophy, was 203pg / mL (sensitivity 88%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value 69%, negative predictive value 93%, and accuracy 83%). The area under the curve was 0.87 (95% CI = 0.79-0.95). The correlation between iMVL and WT with BNP concentration was significant (iMVE: r=0,49; p<0,0001; ER: r=0,50; p<0,0001). Conclusions: The present study found a positive correlation between BNP values and LV hypertrophy. Moreover, it determined the cut off (203 pg / ml) for the diagnosis of this condition. Therefore, using BNP as a screening method for LV hypertrophy may help to rationalize echocardiographic indication for diagnosis confirmation.

abstract: Background Hemodialysis (HD) patients elicit an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in addition to a selenium deficiency, possibly contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Objective To evaluate the effect of selenium supplementation on CVD outcomes and antioxidant status in HD patients. Design A randomized controlled intervention trial conducted from October 2012 to January 2013. Participants/setting The study included 27 maintenance HD patients (61.1+17.5y, 14M, 13F) receiving HD in the greater Phoenix, AZ area. Intervention Patients received one of three treatments daily: 2 Brazil nuts, (5g, 181µg/day of selenium as selenomethionine [predicted]), 1 tablet of selenium (200µg/day of selenium as selenomethionine), or control (3 gummy bears). Main outcome measures Antioxidant status outcome measures included total antioxidant capacity, vitamin C, and RBC and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). CVD outcomes measures included brain natriuretic peptide; plasma cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides; blood pressure, and thoracic cavity fluid accumulation. Statistical analyses performed Repeated measures ANOVA analyzed changes over time and between groups at months 0 and 2 and months 0 and 3. Results Independent analysis showed the Brazil nuts provided 11µg of selenium/day and the pill provided 266µg of selenium/day. Consequently, the Brazil nut group was combined with the placebo group. 21 patients completed 2 months of the study and 17 patients completed the study in its entirety. Data was analyzed for months 0, 1 and 2. No significant differences were noted for antioxidant status outcome measures with the exception of plasma GSH-Px. Patients receiving the selenium pill had a significant increase in plasma GSH-Px compared to the placebo group (6.0+11 and -4.0+7.6, respectively, p=0.023 for change between month 0 and month 2). No significant differences were seen in total antioxidant capacity or for CVD outcome measures over time or between groups. Conclusions These data indicate that selenium supplementation increased plasma GSH-Px concentration in HD patients; however, oxidative stress was not altered by selenium supplementation. The low vitamin C status of HD patients warrants further research, specifically in conjunction with selenium supplementation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Nutrition 2013

Die kardialen Hormone Atriales (ANP) und B-Typ (BNP) Natriuretisches Peptid üben bekannte renale und kardiovaskuläre Effekte aus, welche durch ihren gemeinsamen, cGMP-bildenden Guanylatzyklase-Rezeptor A (GC-A) vermittelt werden. Diese Effekte sind entscheidend an der physiologischen Aufrechterhaltung des arteriellen Blutdrucks sowie des intravaskulären Blutvolumens beteiligt. Darüber hinaus zeigen aktuelle Studien, dass NPs die Mobilisierung von Fettsäuren aus dem Fettgewebe und deren Oxidation durch die Skelettmuskulatur steigern sowie die Thermogenese in braunem und weißem Fettgewebe aktivieren können. Dadurch können NPs den Energieverbrauch erhöhen und die Insulinsensitivität verbessern. Desweiteren ist Übergewicht mit einer gestörten NP/GC-A/cGMP-Signalübertragung verbunden, die möglicherweise zur Entwicklung von Diabetes Typ 2 und dessen kardio-metabolischen Folgeerkrankungen beiträgt. In vitro stimuliert synthetisches ANP über GC-A die Glukose-stimulierte Insulinsekretion aus kultivierten pankreatischen Inseln und die β-Zellproliferation. Die Bedeutung für die systemische Insulin/Glukosehomöostase in vivo ist jedoch unklar. Um zu untersuchen, ob die endogenen Herzhormone die sekretorische Funktion und/oder die Proliferation von β-Zellen unter (patho)physiologischen Bedingungen in vivo modulieren, haben wir ein neues genetisches Mausmodell mit selektiver Deletion des GC-A-Rezeptors in β-Zellen (ß GC-A KO) generiert. In kultivierten Inseln von β GC-A KO-Mäusen waren die insulinotropen und proliferativen Effekte von ANP aufgehoben. Übereinstimmend damit führte die Infusion von BNP bei Kontroll-Tieren in vivo zu leicht erhöhten basalen Plasma-Insulinspiegeln und verbesserter Glukose-induzierter Insulinsekretion. Dieser Effekt von exogenem BNP konnte bei β GC-A KO-Mäusen nicht beobachtet werden, was die effiziente Deletion des GC-A-Rezeptors in β-Zellen bestätigt. Interessanterweise hatte die Ablation des GC-A-Rezeptors auf ß-Zellen unter basalen Bedingungen keinen Einfluss auf physiologische und metabolische Parameter in vivo. Sowohl männliche als auch weibliche ß GC-A KO-Tiere zeigten keine Unterschiede in der basalen Insulin- und Glukosehomöostase, da sie ähnliche Nüchtern-Blutzucker- und Insulinspiegel (nach Fasten über Nacht) aufwiesen wie die Kontroll-Mäuse. Allerdings zeigten die mit HFD gefütterten β GC-A KO-Tiere frühzeitiger Glukose-Intoleranz sowie eine verminderte adaptive β-Zellproliferation. Abgesehen davon war das konsistenteste Ergebnis der in vivo-Studien der geschlechtsabhängige Unterschied in der Auswirkung der ß-Zellspezifischen GC-A-Deletion auf die Glukose-stimulierte Insulinsekretion. Weibliche, aber nicht männliche ß GC-A KO-Mäuse zeigten erhöhte Nüchtern-Insulinspiegel und eine signifikant erhöhte Glukose-stimulierte Insulinsekretion, was zu einer deutlich verbesserten Glukosetoleranz führte. Der postulierte und untersuchte Mechanismus beinhaltet eine Interaktion von Östrogenen und NPs, welche die Expression des mitochondrialen Uncoupling Protein 2 beeinflussen. Diese Arbeit erweitert das derzeitige Wissen über die metabolischen Effekte des NP/GC-A-Systems. Insbesondere zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass Natriuretische Peptide zu einer gesteigerten ß-Zellfunktion und Vitalität in frühen Stadien eines erhöhten Insulinbedarfs, d.h. bei Diabetes Typ 2, beitragen. Da die Studien eine wesentliche Rolle dieser kardialen Hormone im endokrinen Pankreas aufdecken, ist es umso wichtiger die pleiotropen Eigenschaften von NPs und ihre möglichen therapeutischen Anwendungen bei kardio-metabolischen Erkrankungen weiter zu untersuchen. / The cardiac hormones atrial (ANP) and B-type (BNP) natriuretic peptide exert well-known renal and cardiovascular actions which are mediated by their shared cGMP-forming guanylyl cyclase A receptor (GC-A). These actions are critically involved in the physiological maintenance of arterial blood pressure and intravascular volume homeostasis. In addition, recent studies indicate that NPs can increase fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue and their oxidation by skeletal muscles and activate a thermogenic program in brown and white fat. Thereby NPs increase energy expenditure and improve insulin sensitivity. Moreover, obesity is associated with impaired NP/GC-A/cGMP signaling, which possibly contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes and its cardiometabolic complications. In vitro, synthetic ANP, via GC-A, stimulates glucose-dependent insulin release from cultured pancreatic islets and β-cell proliferation. However, the relevance for systemic insulin/glucose homeostasis in vivo is not known. To dissect whether the endogenous cardiac hormones modulate the secretory function and/or proliferation of β-cells under (patho)physiological conditions in vivo, here we generated a novel genetic mouse model with selective disruption of the GC-A receptor in β-cells (ß GC-A KO). In vitro, the insulinotropic and proliferative actions of ANP were abolished in islets isolated from β GC-A KO mice. Concordantly, in vivo, infusion of BNP mildly enhanced baseline plasma insulin levels and glucose-induced insulin secretion in control mice. This effect of exogenous BNP was abolished in β GC-A KO mice, corroborating the efficient inactivation of the GC-A receptor in β-cells. Interestingly, the ablation of the GC-A receptor under basal conditions had no effect on physiological and metabolic parameters in vivo. Both male and female ß GC-A KO animals showed no differences in basal insulin and glucose homeostasis, as they have similar fasting blood glucose and insulin levels (after overnight fasting) as the control mice. However, HFD-fed β GC-A KO animals had accelerated glucose intolerance and diminished adaptative β-cell proliferation. Apart from that, the most consistent result of the in vivo studies was the gender dependent difference in the impact of ß-cell GC-A deletion on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Female, but not male, ß GC-A KO mice showed enhanced fasted insulin levels and a markedly enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion resulting in a distinctly improved glucose tolerance. The postulated and investigated mechanism involves an interaction of estrogens and NPs affecting expression levels of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2. This thesis extends the current knowledge of the metabolic actions of the NP/GC-A system. Specifically the results indicate that natriuretic peptides contribute to enhanced ß-cell function and vitality during early stages of increased insulin demand, i.e. in type 2 diabetes. Since the studies show an essential role of these cardiac hormones in the endocrine pancreas, it becomes even more important to further investigate the pleiotropic actions of NPs and their potential therapeutic applications in cardio-metabolic diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number one cause of death worldwide. About one fifth of those who survived a myocardial infarction will suffer a recurrent cardiovascular event (CVE). Given the low participation in recommended cardiac rehabilitation, there is interest in early risk stratification after a primary CVE. This dissertation evaluates leisure time physical activity (LTPA), N-Terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) and cystatin C as predictors of a secondary CVE in a German cohort of cardiac rehabilitation patients with stable coronary heart disease followed from 1999 to 2008. Study 1 evaluated self-reported LTPA at one-year follow-up. Those reporting seldom/never practice of LTPA showed a higher risk (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.30 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.62, 2.69]), while those reporting LTPA at least 5-6 times/week had a reduced risk (HR 0.88 [95% CI 0.54, 1.43]) for a subsequent CVE, when compared to the reference group (1-4 times/month). Study 2 examined LTPA trajectories during the age period 20-49 years. Compared to those with a gradual decline of LTPA, the highest risk was observed among those with a steeper decrease of LTPA (HR 1.59 [95% CI 0.97, 2.62]). A continuous increase of LTPA was associated with a risk reduction (HR 0.71 [95% CI 0.41, 1.22]) with respect to a recurrent CVE. Studies 3 and 4 evaluated the prognostic value of two novel biomarkers, when added to a model containing well-established CVD risk factors. In Study 3, NT-proBNP levels at one-year follow-up and a 10% increase in the slope of a NT-proBNP three-year trajectory were associated with a subsequent CVE ,with HRs of 1.63 [95% CI 1.17, 2.27] and 1.24 [95% CI 1.12, 1.37], respectively. One-year, but not baseline, levels of NT-proBNP showed an improvement in risk reclassification. Study 4 examined cystatin C versus creatinine. Although both were associated with a recurrent CVE, only the addition of cystatin C improved model performance, discrimination and reclassification. In conclusion, in patients with stable coronary heart disease, LTPA, NT-proBNP, and cystatin C might help to identify individuals at high risk for a recurrent CVE. Further research is needed to evaluate treatment modalities for secondary prevention in this group.

INTRODUÇÃO: A rejeição constitui-se em uma das principais causas de mortalidade após o transplante cardíaco pediátrico. O peptídeo natriurético tipo B (BNP), tem sido estudado como método no diagnóstico de rejeição aguda principalmente em pacientes adultos submetidos ao transplante cardíaco. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o peptídeo natriurético tipo B no diagnóstico de rejeição aguda em crianças submetidas ao transplante cardíaco ortotópico, avaliar o papel do BNP como método adicional não invasivo na elucidação diagnóstica da doença coronariana após transplante e comparar parâmetros clínicos, ecocardiográficos e hemodinâmicos em relação à biópsia endomiocárdica no diagnóstico de rejeição cardíaca aguda. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas 50 amostras de BNP de 33 crianças em pós-operatório de transplante cardíaco e analisados dados de idade, sexo, cor, grupo sangüíneo, painel imunológico, tempo de evolução após o transplante, sintomatologia, imunossupressão utilizada, número de rejeições, dados ecocardiográficos e parâmetros hemodinâmicos. Os grupos foram divididos em pacientes com rejeição e pacientes sem rejeição. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 50 amostras consecutivas de 33 crianças, durante período de 17 meses. A idade mediana foi de 10,1 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino (54%) e da cor branca (85%). No momento da dosagem de BNP o tempo médio pós-transplante foi 4,3 anos. A biópsia endomiocárdica diagnosticou nove rejeições em oito pacientes (27%), sendo três com grau 3 A, cinco com grau 2 e um com rejeição humoral. No momento da biópsia, a maioria dos pacientes encontrava-se assintomática. O nível sérico de BNP teve mediana de 77,2 pg/ml, sendo 144,2 pg/ml no grupo com rejeição e 62,5 pg/ml no grupo sem rejeição, com p = 0,02. Análise de curva ROC mostra que níveis sangüíneos de BNP maiores que 38 pg/ml apresentam sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 56% na detecção de rejeição cardíaca. Os níveis de BNP foram maiores que 100 pg/ml nos pacientes com doença coronariana, com mediana de 167,5 pg/ml, em relação à 15 mediana de 40,5 pg/ml dos pacientes que não apresentaram doença coronariana. A curva ROC mostra ponto de corte de 90 pg/ml como ideal para diagnóstico de doença coronariana, com p = 0,01. Os parâmetros hemodinâmicos não foram diferentes entre os grupos com rejeição e sem rejeição. A sensibilidade do ecocardiograma para detecção de rejeição foi de 44% e especificidade de 90%, com p= 0,02. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes podem apresentar-se assintomáticos durante episódio de rejeição aguda. O nível sérico de BNP apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante no grupo com rejeição, podendo ser método adicional no diagnóstico de rejeição cardíaca. A doença coronariana esteve associada com níveis elevados de BNP, independente da presença de rejeição aguda. O ecocardiograma mostrou baixa sensibilidade para o diagnóstico de rejeição cardíaca, mas alta especificidade. A avaliação dos parâmetros hemodinâmicos não apresentou neste estudo correlação com os resultados de biópsia. / INTRODUCTION: The rejection is one of the main causes of mortality after pediatric heart transplant. B natriuretic peptide has been used as a diagnostic method for rejection mainly in adult patients after heart transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To correlate BNP levels collected at the moment of endomyocardial biopsy with rejection, to evaluate BNP as an additional method for coronary artery disease and to compare clinical, echocardiograph assessment and hemodynamic parameters with endomyocardial biopsy findings. METHODS: There were 50 BNP blood samples from 33 children submitted to orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Analyzed parameters included: age, gender, race, blood type, reactive panel, functional class, immunosuppressive regimens, number of rejection episodes, echocardiography findings and hemodynamic parameters. The patients were divided in two groups: with rejection and without rejection. RESULTS: Thirty three children with a median age of 10.3 years (54% female) were studied at median time of 4.2 years after heart transplantation. Endomyocardial biopsy diagnosed nine rejection episodes (27%): three were grade 3A; five were grade 2 and one was humoral rejection. At the moment of biopsy most patients were asymptomatic. Average BNP level was 77.2 pg/ml (144.2 pg/ml in the patients with rejection and 65.8 pg/ml in the group without rejection, p=0.02). BNP level was increased in humoral rejection and in patients with coronary artery disease. ROC curve demonstrates BNP levels over 38 pg/ml to present 100% sensibility and 56% specificity to detect acute rejection. The levels of BNP were higher than 100 pg/ml in most of the patients with coronary artery disease (median of 167.5 pg/ml compared with a 40.5 pg/ml in patients without coronary artery disease). The curve ROC shows a critical cut off value for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease at the level of 90 pg/ml in, with p = 0.01. The hemodynamic parameters did not show significant differences between the patients with rejection and the group without rejection. The echocardiogram presented 44% sensibility and a 17 90% specificity to detect the rejection episode (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Children could be asymptomatic at allograft rejection episodes. BNP level was significantly elevated in children with the allograft rejection episode and may add a valuable information for the rejection assessment. Also, the higher BNP levels associated with coronary artery disease may contribute for its surveillance. Although the echocardiography presented low sensibility to screen for acute rejection episodes, its high specificity enhances its role to structural and functional alterations. The hemodynamic parameters did not contribute for the diagnosis nor presented correlation with the biopsy findings.

INTRODUÇÃO: A rejeição constitui-se em uma das principais causas de mortalidade após o transplante cardíaco pediátrico. O peptídeo natriurético tipo B (BNP), tem sido estudado como método no diagnóstico de rejeição aguda principalmente em pacientes adultos submetidos ao transplante cardíaco. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o peptídeo natriurético tipo B no diagnóstico de rejeição aguda em crianças submetidas ao transplante cardíaco ortotópico, avaliar o papel do BNP como método adicional não invasivo na elucidação diagnóstica da doença coronariana após transplante e comparar parâmetros clínicos, ecocardiográficos e hemodinâmicos em relação à biópsia endomiocárdica no diagnóstico de rejeição cardíaca aguda. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas 50 amostras de BNP de 33 crianças em pós-operatório de transplante cardíaco e analisados dados de idade, sexo, cor, grupo sangüíneo, painel imunológico, tempo de evolução após o transplante, sintomatologia, imunossupressão utilizada, número de rejeições, dados ecocardiográficos e parâmetros hemodinâmicos. Os grupos foram divididos em pacientes com rejeição e pacientes sem rejeição. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 50 amostras consecutivas de 33 crianças, durante período de 17 meses. A idade mediana foi de 10,1 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino (54%) e da cor branca (85%). No momento da dosagem de BNP o tempo médio pós-transplante foi 4,3 anos. A biópsia endomiocárdica diagnosticou nove rejeições em oito pacientes (27%), sendo três com grau 3 A, cinco com grau 2 e um com rejeição humoral. No momento da biópsia, a maioria dos pacientes encontrava-se assintomática. O nível sérico de BNP teve mediana de 77,2 pg/ml, sendo 144,2 pg/ml no grupo com rejeição e 62,5 pg/ml no grupo sem rejeição, com p = 0,02. Análise de curva ROC mostra que níveis sangüíneos de BNP maiores que 38 pg/ml apresentam sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 56% na detecção de rejeição cardíaca. Os níveis de BNP foram maiores que 100 pg/ml nos pacientes com doença coronariana, com mediana de 167,5 pg/ml, em relação à 15 mediana de 40,5 pg/ml dos pacientes que não apresentaram doença coronariana. A curva ROC mostra ponto de corte de 90 pg/ml como ideal para diagnóstico de doença coronariana, com p = 0,01. Os parâmetros hemodinâmicos não foram diferentes entre os grupos com rejeição e sem rejeição. A sensibilidade do ecocardiograma para detecção de rejeição foi de 44% e especificidade de 90%, com p= 0,02. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes podem apresentar-se assintomáticos durante episódio de rejeição aguda. O nível sérico de BNP apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante no grupo com rejeição, podendo ser método adicional no diagnóstico de rejeição cardíaca. A doença coronariana esteve associada com níveis elevados de BNP, independente da presença de rejeição aguda. O ecocardiograma mostrou baixa sensibilidade para o diagnóstico de rejeição cardíaca, mas alta especificidade. A avaliação dos parâmetros hemodinâmicos não apresentou neste estudo correlação com os resultados de biópsia. / INTRODUCTION: The rejection is one of the main causes of mortality after pediatric heart transplant. B natriuretic peptide has been used as a diagnostic method for rejection mainly in adult patients after heart transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To correlate BNP levels collected at the moment of endomyocardial biopsy with rejection, to evaluate BNP as an additional method for coronary artery disease and to compare clinical, echocardiograph assessment and hemodynamic parameters with endomyocardial biopsy findings. METHODS: There were 50 BNP blood samples from 33 children submitted to orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Analyzed parameters included: age, gender, race, blood type, reactive panel, functional class, immunosuppressive regimens, number of rejection episodes, echocardiography findings and hemodynamic parameters. The patients were divided in two groups: with rejection and without rejection. RESULTS: Thirty three children with a median age of 10.3 years (54% female) were studied at median time of 4.2 years after heart transplantation. Endomyocardial biopsy diagnosed nine rejection episodes (27%): three were grade 3A; five were grade 2 and one was humoral rejection. At the moment of biopsy most patients were asymptomatic. Average BNP level was 77.2 pg/ml (144.2 pg/ml in the patients with rejection and 65.8 pg/ml in the group without rejection, p=0.02). BNP level was increased in humoral rejection and in patients with coronary artery disease. ROC curve demonstrates BNP levels over 38 pg/ml to present 100% sensibility and 56% specificity to detect acute rejection. The levels of BNP were higher than 100 pg/ml in most of the patients with coronary artery disease (median of 167.5 pg/ml compared with a 40.5 pg/ml in patients without coronary artery disease). The curve ROC shows a critical cut off value for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease at the level of 90 pg/ml in, with p = 0.01. The hemodynamic parameters did not show significant differences between the patients with rejection and the group without rejection. The echocardiogram presented 44% sensibility and a 17 90% specificity to detect the rejection episode (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Children could be asymptomatic at allograft rejection episodes. BNP level was significantly elevated in children with the allograft rejection episode and may add a valuable information for the rejection assessment. Also, the higher BNP levels associated with coronary artery disease may contribute for its surveillance. Although the echocardiography presented low sensibility to screen for acute rejection episodes, its high specificity enhances its role to structural and functional alterations. The hemodynamic parameters did not contribute for the diagnosis nor presented correlation with the biopsy findings.