Role of B Type Natriuretic Peptide in the Early Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in High Risk Subjects.

Background: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) reflects left ventricular pressure. It increases in systolic dysfunction. Our aim was to evaluate role of plasma BNP level in early diagnosis of left ventricular isolated diastolic dysfunction. Methods: We studied 60 patients (male=18, female=42) with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, dyslipidemia. The Doppler parameters used for evaluation of diastolic dysfunction are: isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), Transmitral flow velocities (E/A) ratio, deceleration time (DT) & pulmonary vein Doppler findings. 49 patients (group-1) had diastolic dysfunction whereas 11 patients (group-2) had normal flow patterns. Plasma BNP level was done in all patients. Results: Mean plasma BNP levels were 40.41±6.82 pg/ml in individuals with normal filling patterns and 183.36±25.28 pg/ml in subjects with abnormal diastolic dysfunction (p<0.001).The accuracy of BNP in detecting diastolic dysfunction was assessed with receiver-operating characteristic(ROC) analysis. The area under the ROC curve for BNP test accuracy in detection of any abnormal diastolic dysfunction was 0.928 (95% CI, 0.861 to 0.994;p<0.001).A BNP value of 63 pg/ml had the sensitivity of 89.9%,specificity of 91.9% and accuracy of 90.3%.PPVwas 97.8% and NPV-66.7% for detecting diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion: Raised plasma BNP level is useful for early diagnosis of isolated left ventricular Diastolic dysfunction.

Kartagener's Syndrome.

Kartagener's Syndrome or Immotile Cilia Syndrome, a variant of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by defect in the tiny hair like structure, the cilia lining the respiratory tract (upper and lower), sinuses, eustachian tubes, middle ear and fallopian tubes. Here electron microscopy shows abnormal arrangement of ciliary tubules and patients with Kartagener's syndrome has an absence of dynein arms at the base of the cilia. The inability of cilia to move results in inadequate clearance of bacteria from the air passages, resulting in an increased risk of infection and causing bronchiectasis. Another result of ciliary immobility is infertility. A 60 years old lady was diagnosed as a case of Kartagener's syndrome. She had history of chronic cough for 20 years, irregular fever for 20 years and occasional shortness of breath for 5 years. Relevant investigations revealed dextrocardia, situs inversus, bilateral maxillary sinusitis with non pneumatised frontal sinus and bronchiectasis. She was treated with low concentration oxygen inhalation, antibiotic, bronchodilator, chest physiotherapy including postural drainage, vitamins and other supportive treatment.