The comparison of amino-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels in preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of amino-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (Nt pro-BNP) in preeclampsia in comparison with normotensive pregnancy. Materials and methods: Women with preeclampsia (proteinuria >= 300 mg/24 In and at least two readings of systolic blood pressure >= 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure >= 90 mm Hg) (n=32 mild preeclampsia and n=8 severe preeclampsia) were compared with normotensive women (n=40). Serum Nt pro-BNP was measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) method (Nt pro-BNP, Roche) with a Roche modular analytics E170 immunoassay analyzer. Statistical analysis was carried out by the Student t-test, and a P value of <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: The median serum Nt pro-BNP was 430 +/- 28.91 pg/mL in preeclampsia. The levels of serum Nt pro-BNP were 74 16.82 pg/mL in normotensive pregnant women (P < 0.001) and significantly higher in women with preeclampsia (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The higher levels of serum Nt pro-BNP in preeclamptic women may be an indicator of high left-ventricular filling pressure, and indicate left-ventricular diastolic dysfunction.