BNP worsens 12 days after alcohol cessation while other cardiovascular risk biomarkers improve: An observational study

• Published in: Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2021-02, Vol.90, p.39-43
• Main Authors: Clergue-Duval, Virgile, Sivapalan, Reka, Hispard, Eric, Azuar, Julien, Bellivier, Frank, Bloch, Vanessa, Vorspan, Florence, Naccache, François, Questel, Frank
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol use; alcohol use disorder; Alcohol withdrawal; Alcoholism; Biomarkers; Blood pressure; Brain natriuretic peptide; Cardiac function; Cardiovascular diseases; cardiovascular system; Electromyography; Enzymes; Heart; Heart failure; Heart rate; Hemodynamics; Homocysteine; Liver; Mortality; Observational studies; Patients; Peptides; Psychotropic drugs; Public health; Risk factors; Tobacco
• ISSN: 0741-8329; 1873-6823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2020.11.003

Subjects with alcohol use disorder (AUD) display a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs), and a high incidence of cardiovascular diseases associated with an earlier mortality. Abstinence has long-term cardiovascular and global health benefits. However, few studies have examined the short-term effect of alcohol cessation on cardiac function and key CRFs. The aim of the study was to assess brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and other CRFs on admission for alcohol cessation and 12 days later, in inpatients with AUD. A retrospective chart review of inpatients hospitalized for alcohol cessation was conducted. Patients who did not relapse at day 12 were included. We compared, at entry and at day 12, BNP and other CRFs: hemodynamic and electromyographic variables, lipid, homocysteine level, and liver enzymes at entry and at day 12. Wilcoxon, Student tests, and repeated-measures ANOVA were conducted. Fifty-five patients were included (38 males, mean age 50.5 years, alcohol per day 60 g–750 g, 44 current tobacco smokers). BNP was significantly increased (11.8 pg/mL [±16.2] to 35.5 pg/mL [±47.6], p 10 pg/mL (p = 0.092). In contrast, a significant improvement on 8 of 13 other CRFs and liver enzymes measures was observed (p ≤ 0.05). A rapid improvement of several CRFs was confirmed. However, the increase of BNP at day 12 supports its investigation as a possible relevant biomarker of cardiac function in alcohol withdrawal. •An increase of brain natriuretic peptide was observed in alcohol withdrawal.•Alcohol cessation could be a stressful event for the heart.•Brain natriuretic peptide appears to be a relevant biomarker in alcohol cessation.•A rapid improvement of several cardiovascular risk factors was confirmed.