AB0839 Evaluation of serum levels of N-terminal prob-type natriuretic peptide (NT-PROBNP) in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM): Preliminary data

Background symptomatic clinically cardiac involvement in PM/DM is rare but seems to be one of the most important cause of death1. High Nt-proBNP levels are commonly considered a marker of heart failure and were recently detected in rheumatic diseases without clinically evident heart involvement. Some authors hypothesize that high Nt-proBNP values can be likely considered indicators of subclinical cardiac damage2. Objectives evaluation Nt-proBNP levels in a group of patients with PM/DM compared with normal healthy subjects. Methods we enrolled consecutive PM/DM patients (Bohan and Peter criteria) hospitalized in our Unit from 2006 to 2010; in all of them we measured Nt-proBNP serum levels (normal values