A Comparative Analysis of NT-proBNP Levels in Pregnant Women and the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Influence on Birth Outcome

Abstract

Background: The cardiac biomarker NT-proBNP is released by the ventricles in response to increased cardiac wall tension, showing cardiac activity in heart failure. The primary objective of this comparative study was to analyze the variations of NT-proBNP levels among pregnant patients and to determine the potential influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on these values. Secondly, the study focused on NT-proBNP levels and their influence on the type of birth. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 160 pregnant mothers in order to determine, through the solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, the NT-proBNP concentrations from the plasma. The cohort was separated into two distinct groups based on SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic results: negative to the infection, and positive to the infection. Results: The SARS-CoV-2-positive group of patients presented with higher levels of NT-proBNP and had higher rates of cesarean sections. (4) Conclusions: Our research highlights the crucial relationship between elevated NT-proBNP values and the mode of giving birth, natural delivery or cesarean section, and also the influence of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and this biomarker.

Keywords

• NT-proBNP
• COVID-19
• pregnancy complications
• cardiovascular diseases