Measurement of NT- ProBNP in patients with heart failure

Heart failure is the final complication of many diseases and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. N- Terminal B- type Natriuretic Peptide [NT-Pro BNP] is a new diagnostic tool for evaluation of the severity of heart failure and for differentiation between systolic function of left and right heart. In addition, plasma level of NT-Pro BNP serves as a good guide in the management and follow-up of patients under treatment for heart failure. Patients with left side heart failure who referred to Taleghani hospital were consecutively recruited for this study. Diagnosis of heart failure was done through clinical evaluation and echocardiographic procedure. The severity of heart failure was determined according to New York heart association [NYHA] classification and clinical stage for each patient. Three ml citrated venous blood was obtained from the subjects and all samples were sent to the Endocrine and Metabolism research center laboratory of Shahid Beheshti Medical University for evaluation of plasma NT-ProBNP level by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay [ELISA] technique. Patients with acute coronary syndrome, severe valvular stenosis, severe lung disease, liver cirrhosis, primary hyperaldesteronism, hyperthyroidism, acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS], and candidates for heart transplantation were excluded. Plasma level of NT- ProBNP for each classification of NYHA and clinical stages and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] were evaluated. Seventy nine patients, with a mean age of 63.1% 14 years were included in the study. Fifty-five [69.6%] subjects were male. Forty-eight patients [60.8%] were hypertensive; twenty- two patients [27.8%] were diabetic and sixty- four patients [81.0%] suffered from ischemic heart disease [IHD]. The mean plasma level of NT- ProBNP in subjects aged 60 years or more was higher than younger subjects, [485. 8 +/- 418.6 versus 308.7 +/- 300.5], [p= 0.033]. The evaluation of NT-Pro BNP plasma levels showed correlation with decreased ejection fraction [p= 0.0 13], clinical stages [P< 0.001], and function class according to NYHA classification [P < 0.001]. Plasma levels of NT- Pro BNP were elevated proportional to decrease in ejection fraction and systolic function of left ventricle in patients with heart failure. Measurement of NT- Pro BNP is a good laboratory indicator for detection of left ventricular failure and its severity

Measurement of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and superoxide dismutase activity in patients with hypertension

Arterial hypertension is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease and cardiovascular-induced morbidity and mortality. It can cause end-organ damages such as cerebrovascular diseases, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. On the other hand, because of elevated blood pressure and rapid blood flow, there is an increase in oxidation and peroxidation reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and superoxide dismutase activity in sera of hypertensive patients. In this case-control study, 70 hypertensive patients without any other important diseases such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, or thyroid disease were compared with 70 age-and gender-matched controls. The participants' age range was from 30 to 75 years. Measurement of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in serum was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The activity of superoxide dismutase in serum was measured by enzymatic colorimetry method. The patients' mean age +/- SD was 52.2 +/- 14 years. The controls' mean age +/- SD was 45 +/- 13 years. The level of superoxide dismutase activity in the patients' group was 100_27 U/mL, and in the controls_ group was 105 +/- 11 U/mL. The level of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in the patients' group was 14 +/- 4 mu/L, and in controls it was 7.7 +/- 3 mu/L. Data of this study demonstrated an elevation of oxidized low -density lipoprotein in hypertensive group that may be the result of oxidation processes. Superoxide dismutase activity was decreased in hypertensive patients, which can be the result of elevated oxidation reactions

Measurement of apelin in patients with lone AF

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias and it is a risk factor for stroke, heart failure, morbidity and mortality. Apelin is a protein with multiple effects on cardiovascular system such as, endothelium-dependent vasodilation, positive inotropy, declining ventricular preload and afterload and increases cardiac contractility. Plasma level of apelin which is a good guiding for evaluation of the severity and treatment of heart failure can be a good prognostic factor in lone AF. In this case-control study, 26 patients with lone AF without any other important disease and 27, age and gender matched controls from 30 to 70 years old were evaluated. Measurement of apelin in serum was performed by ELISA method. There were 26 patients aged 30 to 70 years from both genders and 27 controls. The level of apelin in patients group under 60 years old was 1.88+1.07 ng/ml and in controls group was 1.29+ 0.50 ng/ml and for older than 60 years old, 1.007+ 0.56 ng/ml and 1.41+ 0.93 ng/ml, respectively. Data of this study showed no reduction of apelin in lone AF group under 60 years old, but there is significant reduction in patients older than 60 years old. There is no relationship between sex and apelin level

Measurement of NT- ProBNP in patients with heart failure

Heart failure is the final complication of many diseases and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. N-Terminal B-Type Natriuretic Peptide [NT-ProBNP] is a new diagnostic tool for evaluation of the severity of heart failure and for differentiation between systolic function of left and right heart. In addition, plasma level of NT-ProBNP serves as a good guide in the management and follow-up of patients under treatment for heart failure. Patients with left side heart failure who referred to Taleghani hospital were consecutively recruited for this study. Diagnosis of heart failure was done through clinical evaluation and echocardiographic procedure. The severity of heart failure was determined according to New York heart association [NYHA] classification and clinical stage for each patient. Three ml citrated venous blood was obtained from the subjects and all samples were sent to the Endocrine and Metabolism research center laboratory of Shahid Beheshti Medical University for evaluation of plasma NT-ProBNP level by enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique [ELISA]. Patients with acute coronary syndrome, severe valvular stenosis, severe lung disease, liver cirrhosis, primary hyperaldesteronism, hyperthyroidism, acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS], and candidates for heart transplantation were excluded. Plasma level of NT-ProBNP for each classification of NYHA and clinical stages and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] were evaluated. Seventy nine patients, with a mean age of 63.1+ 14 years were included in the study. Fifty-five [69.6%] subjects were male. Forty-eight patients [60.8%] were hypertensive, twenty- two patients [27.8%] were diabetic and sixty- four patients [81.0%] suffered from ischemic heart disease [IHD]. The mean plasma level of NT-ProBNP in subjects aged 60 years or more was higher than younger subjects, [485.8 +/- 418.6 versus 308.7 +/- 300.5], [P= 0.033]. The evaluation of NT- Pro BNP plasma levels showed correlation with decreased ejection fraction [P= 0.013], clinical stages [P< 0.001], and function class according to NYHA classification [P< 0.001]. In this study plasma levels of NT-ProBNP were elevated proportional to decrease in ejection fraction and systolic function of left ventricle in patients with heart failure. Measurement of NT-ProBNP is a good laboratory indicator for detection of left ventricular failure and its severity