Serum levels of N-terminal fragment of precursor protein brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in twin pregnancy

Abstract

Twin pregnancy differs considerably from singleton pregnancy in many aspects and it is unknown how serum NT-proBNP level behaves in women with twin pregnancies. Serum NT-proBNP levels were determined longitudinally at gestational weeks (GW) 24 and 35 in normotensive women with 13 twin and 99 singleton pregnancies. The effects of maternal demographic characteristics on NT-proBNP levels were also analyzed. The serum NT-proBNP levels (pg/mL) in twin pregnancies, which were not different from those in singleton pregnancies at 24 GW (26 ± 15 vs. 40±27, respectively, P = 0.0718), increased significantly (P = 0.0038) and were significantly higher than those in singleton pregnancies at 35 GW (72 ± 49 vs. 34 ± 24, P < 0.0001). In the analysis including women with singleton pregnancies, the serum levels of NT-proBNP at 35 GW were significantly inversely correlated with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI, kg/m 2 ) and were significantly higher in nulliparous than multiparous women. Thus, women with twin pregnancy were likely to exhibit an increase in serum NT-proBNP levels in the late stage of pregnancy, especially in lean and nulliparous women. The relative greater blood volume expansion occurring in twin than in singleton pregnancies was considered to be responsible for this phenomenon.

Prospective study on changes in blood variables in pregnant women at higher risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy

“…In addition, as the serum NT‐proBNP level was reported to increase in women at higher risk of PPCM, i.e. women with MFP and women with HD, the results of the present study regarding NT‐proBNP were expected, and this variable may be a good choice for blood tests to detect women at higher risk of PPCM. However, the NT‐proBNP level was much lower in women with MFP/HD compared with that reported in patients with PPCM .…”

Peripartum cardiomyopathy in a woman with preeclampsia with twin pregnancy

“…As gestational weight gain and blood volume expansion are greater in twin than singleton pregnancies,7 8 cardiac overload may be more likely to occur and the serum precursor protein BNP (NT-proBNP) level in the late stage of pregnancy is significantly higher in twin than singleton pregnancies 9. In addition, plasma BNP level is higher for hypertensive than for normotensive pregnant women 10.…”

The value of uterine artery Doppler and NT-proBNP levels in the second trimester to predict preeclampsia

“…This condition leads to water and sodium excretion from the kidneys when increased volume and resistance occur. Studies have shown that N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels increase in cases of preeclampsia, hypertensive pregnancies, twin pregnancies, and pregnancies complicated with pulmonary or cardiac disorders [8][9][10][11]. Previous studies usually focused on patients with preeclampsia and established final and accurate diagnoses.…”