Relationship Between N-Terminal Probrain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-Pro BNP) Level, Infarct Type and Infarct Volume in Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease

Background: N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide, which is a neurohormone produced mainly by the heart, is increased in acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Here we aimed to investigate the relationship of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels with cerebrovascular disease subtypes, infarct volume, and prognosis in cerebrovascular disease, and to determine if N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide could be a biomarker for ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Methods: Consecutive 105 patients with a diagnosis of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease and 50 healthy controls were examined for serum N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide concentration, cerebrovascular disease subtypes, infarct volumes, and clinical outcomes with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale assessment. Results: Mean N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide values of cardioembolic group were significantly higher than lacunar infarct group (P < .005) and transient ischemic attack group (P = .005). There was a relation between worsening in the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale and elevation at N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (P = .001). However, between N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels and infarct volume, significant correlation was not detected (P = .44). Conclusion: N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide can be used as a valuable marker to distinguish between cardioembolic infarct and lacunar infarct. In addition, N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels might be used as a biomarker for differential diagnosis of transient ischemic attack group and to provide insight into the prognosis.