BNP in obese patients

Q: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in obese patients tend to be? (select one)

A) Lower than non-obese patients 
B) higher than non-obese patients


Answer: A

Obese patients tend to have lower plasma BNP level than patients with normal Body Mass Index (BMI). Despite various studies the exact reason behind this disparity is not known.

Clinical significance: It may deceive a clinician with severity of heart failure.

#cardiology
#laboratory-medicine


References:

1. Das SR, Drazner MH, Dries DL, et al. Impact of body mass and body composition on circulating levels of natriuretic peptides: results from the Dallas Heart Study. Circulation 2005; 112:2163.

2. Mehra MR, Uber PA, Park MH, et al. Obesity and suppressed B-type natriuretic peptide levels in heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004; 43:1590. 

3. Wang TJ, Larson MG, Levy D, et al. Impact of obesity on plasma natriuretic peptide levels. Circulation 2004; 109:594. 

4. McCord J, Mundy BJ, Hudson MP, et al. Relationship between obesity and B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Arch Intern Med 2004; 164:2247. 

5. Horwich TB, Hamilton MA, Fonarow GC. B-type natriuretic peptide levels in obese patients with advanced heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006; 47:85.