N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in acute versus chronic left ventricular dysfunction.

Objectives: To determine whether acute left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) causes significantly higher elevation of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels than comparable chronic LVD.

Study Design: Plasma levels of NT-proBNP were measured in 10 pediatric patients diagnosed with acute LVD, in 7 pediatric patients with stable chronic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and comparable levels of echocardiographic dysfunction, and during 5 episodes of acute exacerbation in patients with heart failure. Levels were compared using Mann-Whitney and analysis of variance for rank tests.

Oxidative status of platelets in normal and thalassemic blood.

Chronic platelet activation may be involved in thromboembolic complications, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in beta-thalassemia. Oxidative stress, with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is suspected to play a role in the patho-physiology of thalassemia and cardiovascular disorders. In the present study, we adapted flow cytometric techniques to measure oxidative state markers, ROS generation and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in platelets.