NT‐proBNP is increased in healthy pregnancies compared to non‐pregnant controls

AbstractSerum concentrations of the amino‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) may be used to monitor cardiac function during pregnancy but normal values are not established for this purpose. Therefore, we investigated NT‐proBNP in normotensive healthy pregnancies compared to a non‐pregnant control group. Serum NT‐proBNP was measured in 94 normotensive, healthy pregnant women (32±6 years) every five weeks beginning from 12th gestational week (GW) in a longitudinal study and compared to a non‐pregnant control group of 521 women (32±7 years). Pooled median serum NT‐proBNP levels (25th; 75th percentile) were significantly higher in pregnant women compared to non‐pregnant women (56 (33; 95) pg/ml vs. 38 (22; 62) pg/ml (p<0.001)). NT‐proBNP increased during pregnancy to 73 (51; 124) pg/ml in the 11+6 to 15+6 GW (p<0.001). However, NT‐proBNP levels from 23+0 GW towards term were comparable to non‐pregnant controls. NT‐proBNP is significantly elevated in healthy pregnancies until mid‐pregnancy. As preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are associated with increased NT‐proBNP, our results have to be considered in future diagnostic approaches using NT‐proBNP for these pathologic conditions.