Range and distribution of NT-proBNP values in stable corrected congenital heart disease of various types

Abstract

Background: Elevated levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are an expected finding in many adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) but no reports have described the range of values within different diagnostic groups.

Methods: Between the years 2003 and 2011 we measured NT-proBNP in consecutive ACHD patients attending the outpatient department. Further NT-proBNP analysis was performed on 705 blood samples from 394 stable patients with the defect corrected. The results were compared among different diagnostic groups and with a control group of healthy volunteers.

Results: The median value of NT-proBNP in the whole cohort was signifinatly higher than in the control group (211 vs 42 pg/mL; P < 0.0001). The median value of NT-proBNP in pg/mL and the percentage of normal NT-proBNP values in the listed diagnostic groups were as follows: coarctation of the aorta (COA), 97 (64%); pulmonary stenosis (PS),160 (48%); secundum atrial septal defect (ASD), 254 (44%); incomplete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), 211 (32%); ventricular septal defect (VSD), 154 (58%); tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), 177 (38%); transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after Mustard, 237 (20%) or Senning correction, 143 (39%); Ebstein anomaly 287, (26%); pulmonary atresia (PA), 327 (18%); and complex defects after Fontan procedure, 184 (31%).

Conclusions: Normal levels of NT-proBNP were found most often in patients after the correction of coarctation of the aorta and ventricular septal defect with the highest levels found in pulmonary atresia and Ebstein anomaly. Our results may serve as reference values for different ACHD groups.