Open AccessN‐Terminal Pro–Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT‐proBNP) Levels are Increased in Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack Accompanied by Nonfocal Symptoms
Author(s) -
Plas Gerben J. J.,
Jurg Susanne D.,
BrusseKeizer Marjolein,
Dippel Diederik W. J.,
Koudstaal Peter J.,
Hertog Heleen M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of the american heart association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.494
H-Index - 85
ISSN - 2047-9980
DOI - 10.1161/jaha.115.002072
Subject(s) - medicine , n terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide , transient (computer programming) , terminal (telecommunication) , natriuretic peptide , cardiology , heart failure , computer network , computer science , operating system
Background Transient nonfocal neurological symptoms may serve as markers of cardiac dysfunction. We assessed whether serum N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide ( NT ‐pro BNP) levels, a biomarker of cardiac disease, are increased in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) accompanied by nonfocal symptoms and in patients with attacks of nonfocal symptoms (transient neurological attack [ TNA] ). Methods and Results We included 15 patients with TNA , 69 with TIA accompanied by nonfocal symptoms, 58 with large‐vessel TIA , 32 with cardioembolic TIA , and 46 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control participants. Serum NT ‐pro BNP levels were determined within 1 week after the attack. We compared log‐transformed NT ‐pro BNP levels of patients with cardioembolic TIA s and mixed or nonfocal TNA s, with those of patients with noncardioembolic TIA s as a reference group. Adjustments for age, sex, atrial fibrillation, and a history of nonischemic heart disease were made with a multiple linear regression model. Compared with large‐vessel TIA (mean 14.2 pmol/L), mean NT ‐pro BNP levels were significantly higher in patients with TIA accompanied by nonfocal symptoms (40.5 pmol/L, P =0.049) and with cardioembolic TIA (123.5 pmol/L; P =0.004) after adjustments for age, sex, atrial fibrillation, and a history of nonischemic heart disease. Patients with TNA also had higher mean NT ‐pro BNP levels (20.8 pmol/L, P =0.38) than those with large‐vessel TIA , but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion NT ‐pro BNP levels are increased in patients with TIA accompanied by nonfocal symptoms.