Evaluation of NT-PROBNP levels in patients with congenital heart diseases with left-to-right shunt follow-up

Brain natriuretic peptid which is a hormon secreted from ventricle in response to volume and pressure loads has diuretic, natriuretic and vasodilatory effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate NT-proBNP levels in patients? follow-up with congenital heart diseases with left-to-right shunt, and to determine its relationship with decrease or increase in left-to right shunt.40 patients with ventricular septal defect and secundum atrial septal defect and 20 children with innocent heart murmur are taken to this study. Patients?s ages were between 15 days and 16 years, they had no other systemic chronic disease. The cardiologic evaluations and blood samples were taken for measurement of NT-proBNP at the application of the study and the subsequent control at the six months.Mean measured defect diameter in atrial septal defect group was found 5.84 ± 1.03 mm at the first measurement, and after six months was 3.86 ± 1.03 mm. The first measured mean defect diameter in ventricular septal defect group was found as 4.04±0.56 mm and after six months the mean defect diameter in ventricular septal defect group was found as 3.20±0.73 mm. Mean NT-proBNP level was found 180.36±11.14 pg/ml in atrial septal defect group, 160.19±8.01 pg/ml in ventricular septal defect group and 102.04±8.23 pg/ml in control group. When atrial septal defect group and control group was compared, statistically significant difference was found in the first measured NT-proBNP levels of the groups (p<0.05). When NT-proBNP levels of ventricular septal defect group and control group were compared, statistically significant difference was found between these groups (p<0.05). The first measured NT-proBNP levels of atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect were not found statistically significant difference (p>0.05). After six months follow-up, NT-proBNP levels of atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect were found as 101.78±12.18 and 147.84±16.03 pg/ml, respectively. The second measured NT-proBNP levels were found statistically significant difference between these groups (p<0.05).As a result, we showed that NT-proBNP level was higher in congestive heart failure in children with congenital heart diseases with left-to-right shunt and was parallel with the rate of decrease in the defect diameter evaluated with echocardiography when compared with control group.Key Words: NT-proBNP, ASD, VSD