N-terminal pro-BNP plasma levels before and after percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy for mitral stenosis.

In this study, we investigated the change in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) plasma levels among 44 consecutive patients with mitral stenosis, 10 min before and 24 h after undergoing percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). The procedure was successful in all patients and a significant decline was noted in NT-pro-BNP levels. Reduction of NT-pro-BNP was more marked in patients in sinus rhythm as compared to those with atrial fibrillation. In conclusion, serial measurement of plasma NT-pro-BNP levels might be a useful noninvasive method for documenting the success of PTMC among patients in sinus rhythm.