Plasma levels of N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide as a prognostic value in primary graft dysfunction and a predictor of mortality in the immediate postoperative period of lung transplantation.

Introduction and Objectives. Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a form of acute lung injury secondary to lung transplantation (LT). The objective of our study was to analyse N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) as a prognostic marker of morbidity and mortality and its possible relationship with the development of PGD. Materials and Methods. This prospective study of 50 consecutive lung transplantation patients used blood samples obtained at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours after admission. We analyzed the amino terminal fraction of the BNP prohormone (NT-pro-BNP). The development of PGD was defined following the criteria of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT). Results. In this study 72% of patients developed PGD at T24, 42% of whom had severe grade III. There was no relationship between the development of PGD at any grade and NT-pro-BNP levels. Elevated levels of NT-pro-BNP were accompanied by greater postoperative mortality (P < .05).