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.

Methods: Women with preeclampsia (proteinuria > or = 300 mg/24 h and at least two readings of systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure > or = 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).

Conclusions: 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.