Correlation between plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and changes in New York heart association functional class, left atrial size, left ventricular size and function after mitral and/or aortic valve replacement

Elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide [BNP] levels have been demonstrated in patients with chronic valvular disease. We designed the present study to assess whether changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP] levels after mitral, aortic and double mitral and aortic valve replacement reflect changes in heart failure [HF] symptoms including New York Heart Association [NYHA] class and changes in left atrium [LA] size, left ventricle [LV] size and LV function. A prospective observational nonrandomized study among consecutive patients under-going mitral and/or aortic valve replacement in our center. The study population consisted of 24 patients [mean [SD] age of 55.3 [16.2] years, 58% were males] who underwent surgical mitral valve replacement [12 patients], aortic valve replacement [8 patients] and combined mitral and aortic valve replacement [4 patients]. NT-proBNP measurement, transthoracic echocardiography and NYHA class assessments were performed before and 6 months after surgery. The decrease in NT-proBNP was associated with decrease in left atrial dimension [r = 0.73, P<.002], LV and end-diastolic dimension [r=0.65, P=.001], LV end-systolic dimension [r=0.53, P=.036], and increase in ejection fraction [r=-0.65, P=.001] after 6 months postoperatively. Furthermore, a decreasing NT-proBNP was associated with improvement in NYHA class. NT-proBNP levels after mitral, aortic and double valve replacement correlates with changes in HF manifestations as well as changes in LA size and LV dimension and function. Thus, we hypothesize that interval measurement of the NT-proBNP level at clinic visits can allow early detection of any clinical deterioration as well as the possibility of assessment of the long-term outcome of those patients