| [ Summary ] |
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cardiac biomarkers such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) provide for stratification of cardiovascular risk in these patients. BNP and NT-proBNP, which correlate with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction, are useful markers to predict mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in ESRD patients. Circulating cTnT is also a prognostic marker in the ESRD population. In addition, an abrupt increase in cTnT is useful in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome. The role and utility of these biomarkers in patients with ESRD is reviewed. |