Cardiac transplantation affects ventricular expression of brain natriuretic peptide

Abstract

High levels of BNP are synthesised and secreted by the transplanted human ventricle, and the transplanted ventricle may be an important source of circulating BNP. The significant positive association between ventricular BNP and time after transplant suggests a possible self compensatory mechanism or functional adaptation of the transplanted heart which may be beneficial to ventricular function.