The p otential of n ovel p eptides in the management of children with Congenital Heart Disease: Above and b eyond the BNP

• Published in: Progress in pediatric cardiology 2016
• Main Authors: Panagiota, Papachristou, MD, Christos, Varounis, MD, Georgia, Grigoriadou, MD, Anastasia, Garoufi, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cardiovascular; Pediatrics
• ISSN: 1058-9813
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ppedcard.2016.10.001

Abstract Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) constitutes a common cause of major congenital abnormalities with prevalence around 8.2 per 1 000 live births in Europe. Despite the important advances in the diagnosis, treatment and management of CHD patients throughout the years, it remains a challenge how to better manage the children with CHD using the biomarkers. However, in the last decade, B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and less often Adrenomedullin (ADM) and Urotensin II (UT II) have become the focus of research, in view of the improvement in the management of patients with CHD. Moreover, despite crescent evidences supporting the use of BNP as diagnostic and prognostic marker in children with CHD, its use remains limited and guidelines/expert consensus recommendations are lacking. Adrenomedullin (ADM) and Urotensin II (UT II) are two potent vasoactive peptides that might play a role in the development of pulmonary hypertension. Future studies are needed to explore the role of both peptides as biomarkers of pulmonary hypertension and their prognostic significance on the development of pulmonary hypertension in CHD patients.