B-type natriuretic peptides in pregnant women with normal heart or cardiac disorders. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balaceanu, Alice
• Is Part Of: Medical hypotheses. Volume 121(2018)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Natriuretic peptides -- BNP -- NT-proBNP -- Cardiac biomarkers -- Pregnancy; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2018.09.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9877

Abstract

Abstract: Pregnancy is characterized by complex physiological changes of the cardiovascular system. B-type natriuretic peptides, represented by the bioactive molecule (BNP) and its inactive amino terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) are important biomarkers used in the management of the heart failure. Besides cardiac causes, BNP can grow in other noncardiac conditions such as pregnancy. The levels of natriuretic peptides during pregnancy have been the subject of multiple studies, whether it is a normal pregnancy, or there are pre-existing or developed cardiac conditions during pregnancy. It depends on the stage of pregnancy and comorbidities: obesity, preeclampsia, pre-existing cardiomyopathies or peripartum cardiomyopathy. High levels of NT-proBNP in pregnancy are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and involve careful supervision of pregnancy, including imaging procedures.