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The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in outpatients with the Eisenmenger syndrome (ES). BNP is often elevated in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The clinical utility of BNP in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease and the ES has not been clearly delineated. Records of adults with ES who had undergone serum BNP measurement were reviewed. The primary end point was death or heart failure admission. Fifty-three patients were included, with 15 patients (28%) meeting the primary end point (death in 7, heart failure hospitalization in 8). Mean and median baseline BNP in patients meeting the primary end point were 322 ± 346 and 179 pg/ml, compared to 100 ± 157 and 41 pg/ml in those not meeting the primary end point (p = 0.0029). A Cox proportional-hazards model using baseline BNP between the 2 groups yielded a hazard ratio of 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19 to 2.85, p = 0.006). The relative risk for baseline BNP level >140 pg/ml was 4.62 (95% CI 1.80 to 11.3, p = 0.008). Patients who met the primary end point increased their BNP levels by 42.5 pg/ml per year (95% CI 12.09 to 72.95, p = 0.006) compared to 7.2 pg/ml per year (95% CI 2.01 to 12.47, p = 0.007) in patients who did not meet the primary end point. In conclusion, elevated BNP levels are predictive of death or heart failure admission in patients with the ES. A serum BNP level >140 pg/ml is a useful tool in identifying high-risk patients., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

To evaluate (1) whether right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, evaluated using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is associated with a worse outcome in patients with the Eisenmenger syndrome, (2) which variables are related to RV dysfunction, and (3) whether differences exist among simple pretricuspid, simple post-tricuspid, and combined shunt lesions. Patients with Eisenmenger syndrome, aged >18 years, who underwent echocardiography, were selected from the Belgian Eisenmenger registry and prospectively followed up using a Web-based registry. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relation to outcomes, defined as all-cause mortality, transplantation, and hospitalization for cardiopulmonary causes. Comparative and bivariate analysis was performed, where applicable. A total of 58 patients (mean age 35.1 ± 13.2 years, 32.8% men) were included. During a mean follow-up of 3.2 years, 22 patients (37.9%) reached the predefined end point. Only TAPSE (hazard ratio 0.820, 95% confidence interval 0.708 to 0.950; p = 0.008) was related to the adverse outcomes on multivariate analysis. Patients with pretricuspid shunt lesions were older (p <0.0001) had greater left (p <0.0001) and right atrial (p <0.0001) dimensions, greater RV dimensions (p = 0.002), and more tricuspid regurgitation (p = 0.012) compared to patients with post-tricuspid lesions. Lower TAPSE was related to the presence of pulmonary artery thrombosis (R = -0.378; p = 0.006). In conclusion, in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome, RV dysfunction, evaluated using TAPSE, is related to worse outcomes. Patients with Eisenmenger syndrome with pretricuspid shunt lesions were older and had greater left atrial, right atrial, and RV dimensions compared to patients with post-tricuspid lesions, indicating a difference in the RV response. Lower TAPSE was associated with the presence of pulmonary artery thrombosis., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A retrospective study of adults with Eisenmenger syndrome assessed at a tertiary referral center was performed to identify clinical characteristics and establish prognostic determinants. Mortality and cause of death are reported with baseline clinical data correlated with mortality to identify predictors of death. Clinical events during follow-up, including heart failure, atrial arrhythmia, hemoptysis, and syncope were also reviewed. A total of 109 adults with Eisenmenger syndrome (mean +/- SD age 29 +/- 11 years, 43% men) were followed for a median of 6.3 years. Sixty-six patients (61%) had simple cardiac anatomy (13 atrial septal defect, 43 ventricular septal defect, 10 patent ductus arteriosus). The remainder (43 patients) had complex cardiac anatomy (including atrioventricular septal defect, truncus arteriosus, univentricular heart, and transposition of the great arteries). There were 33 deaths and 9 transplantations during follow-up. Median survival was 53 years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified age at presentation (hazard ratio [HR] 0.90), supraventricular arrhythmia (HR 3.44), precordial electrocardiogram voltage (HR 1.61/mV increase), and poor New York Heart Association functional class (HR 2.60) as independent predictors of mortality. There is a large variation in the life expectancy for adults with Eisenmenger syndrome. Baseline characteristics associated with increased mortality include younger age at presentation (associated with complex anatomy), functional class, supraventricular arrhythmia, and an electrocardiogram index for right ventricular hypertrophy.