Elevated proBNP levels are associated with disease severity, cardiac dysfunction, and mortality in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Background: Cardiac dysfunction is a key determinant of outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) is used as a prognosticator in heart failure and cardiomy-opathy. We hypothesized that proBNP levels would be associated with ventricular dysfunction and high -risk disease in CDH. Methods: Patients in the CDH Study Group (CDHSG) from 2015-2019 with at least one proBNP value were included. Ventricular function was determined using echocardiograms from the first 48 h of life. Results: A total of 2,337 patients were identified, and 212 (9%) had at least one proBNP value. Of those, 3 (1.5%) patients had CDHSG stage A defects, 58 (29.6%) B, 111 (56.6%) C, and 24 (12.2%) D. Patients with high-risk defects (Stage C/D) had higher proBNP compared with low-risk defects (Stage A/B) (14,281 vs. 5,025, p = 0.007). ProBNP was significantly elevated in patients who died (median 14,100, IQR 4,377- 22,900 vs 4,911, IQR 1,883-9,810) ( p < 0.001). Ventricular dysfunction was associated with higher proBNP than normal ventricular function (8,379 vs. 4,778, p = 0.005). No proBNP value was both sensitive and specific for ventricular dysfunction (AUC= 0.61). Conclusion: Among CDH patients, elevated proBNP was associated with high-risk defects, ventricular dys-function, and mortality. ProBNP shows promise as a biomarker in CDH-associated cardiac dysfunction. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Elevated proBNP levels are associated with high-risk defects, ventricular dysfunction, and mortality in CDH patients, indicating proBNP's potential as a biomarker for cardiac dysfunction in CDH.