Introduction: Increased natriuretic peptides are associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality for haemodialysis (HD) patients. However, debate continues whether these biomarkers are increased by extracellular water (ECW) excess and can be used to aid clinical assessment of volume status and help determine target weight. Methods: We measured N terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predialysis in 375 stable haemodialysis outpatients with corresponding pre and postdialysis multifrequency bioelectrical impedance assessments (MFBIA) of (ECW)/total body water (TBW). Results: Median age 64 (51-75), 63.9% male, 42.9% diabetic, 43.2% Caucasoid, 14.4% with a history of myocardial infarction, 8.4% coronary artery bypass surgery, dialysis vintage 28.2 (12.3-55.5) months. Median predialysis NT-proBNP 283 (123-989) pmol/l, and predialysis ECW/TBW ratio 0.397 ± 0.029. On multivariate analysis, predialysis log NT-proBNP was associated with predialysis systolic blood pressure (β 0.007, p = 0.000), weight (β −0.008, p = 0.001), valvular heart disease (β 0.342, p = 0.015, ECW/TBW (β 1.3, p = 0.019) and log CRP (β 0.145, p = 0.037). Dividing patients into NTproBNP quartiles, %ECW/TBW and relative ECW overhydration were significantly greater for the highest quartile vs. lowest (40.5 ± 4.1 vs. 39.0 ± 1.1, and 1.51 ± 1.24 vs. 0.61 ± 0.69 l, respectively, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, predialysis NTproBNP values were associated with direct assessments of the extracellular volume excess measured by MFBIA and systolic arterial blood pressure. This suggests that predialysis NTproBNP values can potentially be used to aid clinical assessment of volume status in dialysis patients to determine target weight.
Open Access License: This is an Open Access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC) ( http://www.karger.com/OA-license), applicable to the online version of the article only. Distribution permitted for non-commercial purposes only. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.