I t is assumed that the athlete’s heart represents a physiological adaptation to endurance exercise, caused by an increased volume load. As a new cardiac biomarker, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) allows us to serologically perceive myocardial wall stress. As elevated resting BNP concentrations reflect pathological ventricular overload, it was hypothesised that in case of a physiological hypert...

BACKGROUND In 2003 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence published guidelines recommending the use of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the electrocardiogram (ECG) as part of the diagnostic work up of individuals with heart failure. However, the guideline did not address whether one test was superior to the other or whether performing both tests was superior to performing single tests...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Plasma concentrations of the N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are increased in end-stage renal disease. Improvement in hemodynamic stability has been reported when switching from hemodialysis (HD) to on-line hemodiafiltration (ol-HDF). The aim of this study was to investigate plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP, BNP and neuropeptide Y (NPY) during ...

Introduction: Since pregnancy in women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated a high risk of morbidity and mortality, it recommended that should be avoided PAH. However, some mild PAH may consider this recommendation as unsuitable. Unfortunately knowledge on outcomes best management during limited. Methods: Data from all who were followed by multidisciplinary team at tertiary ...

OBJECTIVE Patients with cancer may display elevated levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high-sensitive troponin T (hsTnT) without clinical manifestation of cardiac disease. This study aimed to evaluate circulating cardiovascular hormones and hsTnT and their association with mortality in cancer. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 555 consecutive patients with a primary diagnosis of c...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Determination of peptide biomarkers such as troponins, natriuretic peptides or the recently reported FGF23 can be useful to identify hemodialysis patients with a high risk of mortality. However, it is desirable to focus on few robust parameters to warrant their routine application. METHODS In a prospective cohort study with 239 prevalent hemodialysis patients we studied the pr...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Respiratory symptoms are often observed in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) during the acute phase. The association of respiratory viruses in children with KD was investigated using multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and tissue Doppler echocardiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS 138 KD patients were included from January 2010 to June 201...