THE PROFILE OF BNP LEVELS IN CHILDREN WITH HEART FAILURE AND THE POTENTIAL INDICATION FOR HEART TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate BNP levels profile in children indicated for heart transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was an observational study at Heart Institute (InCor) University of Sao Paulo Medical School. The data was collected from the f Pediatric Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation outpatient clinics. The following data was analysed: BNP levels, diagnosis of cardiopathy, functional class, clinical outcome and transplantation procedure. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were studied at Heart Institute (InCor) University of Sao Paulo Medical School. Sixty percent were male. The main diagnosis was dilated cardiomiopathy in 72%, restrictive syndrome in 23%, hypertrophic in 2 (5%) and congenital heart disease in 25%. NYHA class IV was present in 44%. In 77% of patients, the BNP levels >300 ng/dL were described. Thirty-six (75%) were listed for transplantation. Thirty two (88%) patients had BNP levels >300. Six of them died and had BNP levels more than 300 ng/dL. CONCLUSION: High BNP levels were associated with unfavorable prognosis in children with heart failure.