N-terminal pro-BNP in sclerodermic patients on bosentan therapy for PAH

Rheumatol Int. 2008 May;28(7):657-60. doi: 10.1007/s00296-007-0510-7. Epub 2007 Dec 19.

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by vascular dysfunction that may lead to pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). The N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proNBP), a marker of cardiac failure, is a diagnostic marker of early PAH in patients with SSc without heart failure. Our aim was to determine whether NT-proBNP levels may be a useful tool to evaluate the response to bosentan therapy in patients with PAH secondary to SSc. Ten patients with symptomatic, severe PAH secondary to SSc, received bosentan, 62.5 mg twice a day for 4 weeks followed by 125 mg twice a day for 7 months. Ten patients with SSc without PAH served as controls for basal level of NT-proBNP. Blood samples were obtained before the beginning of the therapy and after 3 and 7 months of treatment. SSc patients with PAH had significantly higher serum levels of NT-proBNP than those without PAH, at baseline. After 3 and 7 months of therapy, NT-proBNP concentration showed a progressive decrease, nearly approaching statistical difference at 7 months when compared to baseline levels (P=0.953 and P=0.600). Our results show that serum NT-proBNP levels may be a useful marker for the response to bosentan therapy in patients with PAH secondary to SSc.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bosentan
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / blood
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / blood
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Sulfonamides
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Bosentan