We aimed to investigate copeptin levels in mitral stenosis (MS) patients and the behavior of copeptin after hemodynamic improvement achieved by percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). The study involved 29 consecutive symptomatic patients with moderate to severe rheumatic MS who underwent PBMV. Twenty-eight age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers composed the control group. Blood samples for copeptin were obtained immediately before and 24 h after PBMV, centrifuged, then stored at -70°C until assayed. The copeptin level of the patient group was statistically different from that of the control group (61.8 ± 34.4 and 36.8 ± 15.2 pg/ml, respectively; p = 0.001). PBMV resulted in a significant increase in mitral valve area and a significant decrease in transmitral gradient as well as systolic pulmonary artery pressure. While hemodynamic relief was obtained, we detected a statistically significant decline in copeptin levels 24 h after PBMV compared to the baseline levels (from 61.8 ± 34.4 to 44.1 ± 18.2 pg/ml; p = 0.004).
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.