Cardiac biomarkers in haemodialysis patients: the prognostic value of amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin T.

Cardiac biomarkers such as amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTNT) provide information on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with normal renal function. In a considerable number of chronic haemodialysis patients, both biomarkers - NT-proBNP and cTNT - are elevated despite the absence of cardiac ischaemia. The elevation of cardiac biomarkers in chronic haemodialysis patients is of prognostic value with respect to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. They provide a useful rationale for the screening of occult cardiac disease and optimization of the dialysis procedure with respect to volume control.