Pilot Study of B-Type Natrieutic Peptide (BNP) Levels in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease(BNP)

Enrollment: Patients with congenital heart disease seen at Emory Clinics, Adult Congenital Heart Disease program, Crawford Long Hospital will be asked to participate in this pilot study. Sample size: 20 patients (5 in each group) Screening Phase: Demographic data, medical history, physical examination including vital signs and room air oxygen saturation, and medications will be recorded. New York Heart association functional class will be recorded.

BNP Levels: Approximately 7 cc of blood will be collected. The blood will be analyzed for B-type natriuretic peptide on a rapid assay in the clinic.

Exercise Tolerance: will be measured by a 6 minute walk test on day of visit Echocardiogram: A complete echocardiogram including assessment of anatomy, ventricular function and valvular function will be performed following the phlebotomy.

Quality of life: The minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire will be administered on the day of collection of neurohormonal levels. A research nurse will be available to assist the patient if needed.

Inclusion criteria

Patients with a systemic right ventricle and a subpulmonic left ventricle-including patients with transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) who have undergone Mustard and Senning repairs (atrial switch procedures) and patients with congenitally corrected TGA (l-TGA) Subpulmonic right ventricle in the absence of pulmonary hypertension (repaired tetralogy of Fallot, congenital pulmonic regurgitation) 4-chambered heart Age > 18 years Participants will have either acquired left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 35%) or no known cardiac disease For the control group, individuals will have normal cardiac anatomy and normal left ventricular function (determined by echocardiogram) and no known cardiac disease.

Exclusion criteria

Single ventricle and or single atria Liver disease with portal hypertension Renal disease requiring dialysis Creatine > 4.0 Significant pulmonary hypertension (systolic PAP >60 mmHg by Echo) Uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension (systolic > 200 mmHg or diastolic >105 mmHg) Myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome within 2 months D-TGA status post atrial switch procedure (Jatene) Intracardiac shunts Inadequate echocardiogram windows Coronary Angioplasty 30 days