Effect of intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation on serum brain natriuretic peptide in patients with terminal dilated cardiomyopathy

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation and its effect on the concentration of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with terminal dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: Forty-one patients with DCM complicated by pump failure were divided into IABP group (A: 21 cases) and control group (B: 20 cases) based upon the optimal medication. The plasma concentration of BNP was measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay at 1, 2 and 7 days after admission. RESULTS: On the first day of admission, no statistical difference in the values of BNP concentration was observed between groups. On the second and the seventh day of admission, the values of BNP concentration in group A were lower than those in group B (1778±289) pg/ml vs. (2553±346) pg/ml, P<0.05; (835±190) pg/ml vs. (1376±301) pg/ml, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with terminal DCM complicated with pump failure, IABP counterpulsation based upon the optimal medication is an effective and safe method to improve cardiac function and lower plasma BNP level.