Pilot Trial Evaluating Mid-Regional Pro-Atrial Natriuretic Peptide as a Marker of Sepsis after Abdominal Surgery

Introduction Mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR pro-ANP) has been shown to be a diagnostic marker for sepsis. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the potential of MR pro-ANP in the diagnosis of postoperative sepsis. Methods We enrolled 18 patients with postoperative sepsis, 19 patients who underwent major abdominal surgery without sepsis and 9 healthy individuals as control subjects. MR pro-ANP, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured on the day of inclusion in the study, and at days 3, 7 and 10. Results The mean levels of MR pro-ANP were significantly higher in patients with postoperative sepsis than in patients without sepsis (two-way ANOVA p