224 - NT-proBNP in systemic sclerosis-related pulmonary arterial hypertension
Autor(s): S. Finazzi, E. Vicenzi, P. Faggioli, L. Giani, A. Mazzone, M. Lotzniker
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 2, N. 3, 2006 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Background. Scleroderma, when complicated with pulmonary
hypertension (PHT), presents a worse prognosis;
however, treatment with new drugs seems to offer
good perspectives, especially in early diagnosis. The standard
approach for diagnosing PHT consists in measurement
of the pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) by
means of echoDoppler.
This work aimed to evaluate the significance of the Nterminal
prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP)
parameter, matched to echoDoppler, in diagnosing
scleroderma PHT.
Materials and methods. Sixty patients, who came to observation
for progressive systemic sclerosis underwent
echoDoppler in order to measure the PAP (normal
values up to 30 mmHg).
NT-proBNP was determined on serum samples using
the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method on
the Modular E170 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Basel,
Switzerland); reference values adjusted for age and
gender, were used as indicated by the manufacturer.
Forty-three patients underwent a further NT-proBNP
sampling 5 days later in order to assess parameter stability.
Results. PHT and non-PHT patients showed statistically
different (p...