The role of natriuretic peptides in patients with chronic complex (mixed or multiple) heart valve disease.

N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an important biomarker of prognosis in heart failure and single valve disease. There are limited studies of complex valve disease. Patients with complex valve disease adopt a sedentary lifestyle, so symptoms may be difficult to detect.

Complimentary roles for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and spirometry to assess functional capacity in patients with complex mixed heart valve disease.

Background: Assessing the effects of valvular heart disease on functional capacity is important for optimal timing of surgery.

Aim: To determine whether N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and lung spirometry predict maximum oxygen consumption (pVO(2)) on cardio-pulmonary exercise testing in patients with mixed heart valve disease.

Methods: Forty-five clinically stable patients with moderate-severe stenosis and/or regurgitation of the aortic, mitral and/or tricuspid valves were studied.

Complex valve disease: pre-surgical functional capacity evaluation using peak oxygen consumption.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Complex heart valve disease constitutes both mixed and multiple valve pathologies that coexist in a single heart. The chronicity of complex valve disease results in a slow decline in functional capacity. Currently, very few data exist relating to chronic complex valve disease.