Plasma brain natriuretic peptide as a surrogate marker for cardioembolic stroke

Abstract

Background: Cardioembolic stroke generally results in more severe disability, since it typically has a larger ischemic area than the other types of ischemic stroke. However, it is difficult to differentiate cardioembolic stroke from non-cardioembolic stroke (atherothrombotic stroke and lacunar stroke). In this study, we evaluated the levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptide in acute ischemic stroke patients with cardioembolic stroke or non-cardioembolic stroke, and assessed the prediction factors of plasma brain natriuretic peptide and whether we could differentiate between stroke subtypes on the basis of plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations in addition to patient's clinical variables.

Association of Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Acute Ischemic Stroke Subtypes and Outcome

“…The prevalence of elevated BNP levels was low in other stroke subtypes (20%), a finding consistent with the previously published studies. 19,21,26 Almost three fourths of cardioembolic stroke patients in our study had high BNP, which is comparable to the study by Yukiiri et al 21 among Japanese cardioembolic stroke patients and Montaner et al 27 in Spanish patients. We did not find any association between elevated BNP and noncardioembolic strokes; our findings advocated other studies.…”

Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Predictor of Cardioembolism in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: Brain Natriuretic Peptide Stroke Prospective Study

“…In a previous study, we reported that a BNP level >140.0 pg/ml could discriminate CE from non-CE patients, which was incompatible with findings from other studies [5,6]. Montaner et al [5] demonstrated that the optimal cutoff point of BNP to distinguish between CE and non-CE was 76 pg/ml, which corresponded with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 68% [10].…”

“…Montaner et al [5] demonstrated that the optimal cutoff point of BNP to distinguish between CE and non-CE was 76 pg/ml, which corresponded with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 68% [10]. Similarly, Yukiiri et al [6] reported that the optimal cutoff point of BNP to distinguish between CE and non-CE was 77 pg/ml, which corresponded with a sensitivity of 75.8% and a specificity of 76.8%. The reason for this discrepancy between the present study and these previous studies may be attributed to various factors, including differences in the study population.…”

“…BNP levels are elevated in patients with acute ischemic stroke [1,5,6,7,8], particularly in those with atrial fibrillation (AF) [9]. In a previous retrospective study, we reported that a BNP level >140.0 pg/ml on admission in acute ischemic stroke patients was a predictor of cardioembolism (CE) with high sensitivity (80.5%) and high specificity (80.5%) [10].…”

Association between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and acute ischemic stroke in patients on chronic hemodialysis

“…Repeated measurement of hs-CRP levels and mean hs-CRP levels could help to clarify the interrelationship. Yukiiri et al described the predictive value of plasma BNP according to the subtype of ischemic stroke in non-ESRD populations [25]. They reported that plasma BNP can be a surrogate marker for cardioembolic stroke and can differentiate cardioembolic stroke from other types of stroke.…”