Brain natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide in kidney transplantation: More than just cardiac markers

Abstract

Although kidney transplantation (KT) is the best treatment option for most patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to reduced mortality, morbidity and increased quality of life, long- term complications such as chronic kidney allograft dysfunction (CKAD) and increased cardiovascular disease burden are still major challenges. Thus, routine screening of KT recipients (KTRs) is very important to identify and quantify risks and guide preventative measures. However, no screening parameter has perfect sensitivity and specificity, and there is unmet need for new markers. In this review, we evaluate brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as promising markers for risk stratification in the kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The usefulness of these markers are already proven in heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease. In the context of KT, evidence is emerging. BNP and NT-proBNP has shown to be associated with kidney function, graft failure, echocardiographic parameters, major cardiovascular events and mortality but the underlying mechanisms are not known. Although BNP and NT-proBNP interact with immune system, renin angiotensin system and sympathetic system; it is not known whether these interactions are responsible for the clinical findings observed in KTRs. Future studies are needed whether these biomarkers show clinical efficacy, especially with regard to hard outcomes such as major adverse cardiovascular events and graft dysfunction and whether routine implementation of these markers are cost effective in KTRs.