Yildiz, RYildirim, BKarincaoglu, MHarputluoglu, MHilmioglu, F2024-08-042024-08-0420050815-93191440-1746https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03906.xhttps://hdl.handle.net/11616/93997Background: Cirrhotic patients have a hyperdynamic systemic circulation. They have insidious cardiac problems besides well-known complications. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) relaxes vascular smooth muscle and has a portal hypotensive action. The relations between BNP levels and severity of disease, cardiac dysfunction and esophageal varices were studied in non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients. Methods: Fifty-two non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients were evaluated for decompensation component of cirrhosis. The BNP concentration of echocardiographically examined patients was determined. Results: The BNP levels were significantly higher in ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatic encephalopathy history group (P = 0.033, P < 0.001, P = 0.014, respectively), but no significant difference were observed for presence of esophageal varices and bleeding history (P = 0.267, P = 0.429). A significant correlation was observed between BNP concentration and Child score (r = 0.427, P = 0.012), interventricular septal thickness (r = 0.497, P < 0.001) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (r = 0.526, P < 0.001). According to Child-Pugh classification there were no significant difference between groups for echocardiographic measurements and blood pressure (P > 0.05), but plasma BNP levels were significantly higher in Child class B and C patients compared with class A patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Increased levels of BNP are more likely related to the severity of disease in non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients. The advanced cirrhosis is associated with more advanced cardiac dysfunction and BNP has prognostic value in progression of cirrhosis. (C) 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessascitesbrain natriuretic peptidecardiomyopathyesophageal varicesliver cirrhosisArticle207111511201595522310.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03906.x2-s2.0-21844451930Q1WOS:000229519000022Q3