Correlation of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) with Echocardiographic and Catheterization Parameters in Pediatric Heart Recipients

Purpose Hemodynamic assessment by catheterization (CATH) remains the cornerstone of cardiac performance evaluation. However, it is expensive and invasive. At the opposite end of the spectrum is BNP followed by echocardiography (ECHO). We sought to examine the correlation of BNP with ECHO and CATH parameters. Methods and Materials Single-center, retrospective review of recipients transplanted at Results The cohort median age at transplant was 3.4 yrs (IQR 0.38-10) with 55% male and 45% cardiomyopathy. There were 225 annual datasets (3.2/patient) with a median followup of 3.4 years (IQR 2.0-6.1). The median BNP was 54 pg/mL (IQR 26-96). BNP was correlated with HCT (R=-0.29, p 2.7 (R=0.265, p >0.001). Evaluating the hemodynamic data, BNP correlated with right sided filling pressures: RAP (R=0.341, p=0.001), RVEDP (R=.344, p 100 pg/mL. Conclusions BNP as measured at annual catheterization was correlated with left and right side filling pressures and some ECHO parameters. In multivariate analysis, a BNP cutoff of >100 pg/mL was associated with RAP, vasculopathy, HCT, and possibly with LV mass. This simple test may have utility in the monitoring of cardiac performance with the caveat that a low HCT can also affect its levels.