B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in HCV-positive Egyptian patients: the impact of HCV eradication on plasma BNP levels

Background Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a major health-related burden in Egypt. HCV is considered as a major cardiovascular risk factor. BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) has been determined as a credible diagnostic and prognostic cardiac biomarker. We aimed to assess plasma BNP in HCV-positive Egyptian patients prior and after HCV eradication by direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) therapy. Eighty-nine chronic HCV-positive patients were enrolled in our prospective research. They were provided with DAAs therapy in the form of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir without or with ribavirin for 12 weeks. History, clinical evaluation, and laboratory assessment: CBC, liver and kidney function tests, viral markers (HCVAb, HBVsAg, and HIVAb) by ELISA, HCV RNA by real-time PCR, and BNP by ELISA were assessed. FIB-4 and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) scores were ranked. Results Plasma BNP displayed a non-significant ( p = 0.124) increase of its serum mean values in post eradication of HCV than its baseline values. Baseline BNP exhibited a significant positive correlation with FIB4 ( r = 0.411, P < 0.001) and APRI score ( r = 0.418, p < 0.001) with a considerably negative correlation with platelets ( r = − 0.274, p = 0.009), in addition to higher pretreatment BNP values in cirrhotic than in non-cirrhotic patients ( p < 0.001), while non-significant relations were found regarding sex, BMI, and drug regimen (with or without ribavirin) ( p = 0.950, 0.845, and 0.738, respectively). Additionally, plasma BNP values considerably decreased post-treatment in patients presented with higher baseline BNP values and more advanced liver disease (higher FIB4, APRI, and the presence of liver cirrhosis). Conclusion Our findings propose on the one side, the necessity of cardiac monitoring during chronic HCV infection and, on the other, the valuable impacts of HCV eradication on HCV-associated cardiac morbidities.