N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide is associated with arterial stiffness measured using the cardio-ankle vascular index in renal transplant recipients

Aim: Arterial stiffness is an established cardiovascular risk marker and an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality in various groups of patients, including renal transplant recipients. Recent studies have noted that B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) acts as a local paracrine molecule that modulates endothelial permeability and regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) level and arterial stiffness in renal transplant recipients. Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 66 renal transplant recipients. The cardio-ankle vascular index was calculated using the waveform device (CAVI-VaSera VS-1000). The serum NTpro-BNP levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. A CAVI value of ≥ 9 was used to define a high level of arterial stiffness. Results: Thirty-two patients (48.5%) were classified into the high arterial stiffness group. Diabetes (p = 0.030), smoking (p<0.001), duration of kidney transplantation (p = 0.001), body weight (p = 0.014), waist circumference (p = 0.022), body mass index (p = 0.001) and the fasting glucose (p = 0.021) and serum NT-pro-BNP (p<0.001) levels were higher in the high arterial stiffness group than in the low arterial stiffness group. A multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the log-NT-pro-BNP level (β: 0.459, p<0.001) remained an independent predictor of the CAVI value in the renal transplant recipients. Conclusions: The serum fasting NT-pro-BNP level is associated with arterial stiffness in renal transplant recipients.