[The plasma level of an inactive moiety of B-type natriuretic peptide precursor as a predictor of cardiac function during operations under extracorporeal circulation].

Ventricular cardiomyocytes secrete brain natriuretuc peptide (BNP) and an inactive moiety of its precursor (nt-proBNP). It is recommended the blood level of the latter should be monitored to ascertain the severity of myocardial lesion. This investigation was undertaken to study the diagnostic and prognostic value of a substantial increase in blood nt-proBNP levels (600 pg/ml or more) in patients operated on under extracorporeal circulation.