Objective: We measured serum NT-proBNP levels in 2 groups of young patients (0-36 months) with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to congenital heart malformations (CHM).
Methods: The first group included 23 patients prior to surgery for heart malformations. The second group included 12 patients with CHM within 24 hours post-operation. NT-proBNP levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay (ELISA) using the Chem Well 2910 (Awareness Technology Inc.) automated analyzer.
Results: NT-proBNP values were 4 times higher in patients with unoperated CHM compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001), and 12 times higher in patients with CHM 24 hours after surgery compared to controls (P = 0.0001).
Conclusions: These results demonstrated significant changes in NT-proBNP concentrations before and after surgery to correct congenital heart malformations.