N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels Are Elevated in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a counterregulatory hormone released by the ventricles of the heart. Its main actions are natriuresis and vasodilation. The authors studied N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels soon after an acute ischemic stroke. They compared plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in 30 patients with an acute ischemic stroke with those of 30 controls. The 2 groups were adjusted for age and gender, and there were no significant differences in vascular risk factors and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Venous samples were collected within the first 11.8 ±1.2 hours after the onset of symptoms and again on day 6. Brain computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) was performed on the same days (day 0 and day 6) in order to assess the site (carotid or vertebrobasilar), cause (atherothrombotic, cardioembolic, or lacunar), and size (large, medium, or small) of the brain infarct. NT-proBNP levels were elevated in patients with acute stroke (129.9 ±9.9 fmol/mL) compared with the controls (90.8 ±6.3 fmol/mL, p