Abstract 15668: Longitudinal Changes in High Sensitivity Troponin T and Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Over Two Post-Transplant Years in Rejection-Free Pediatric Heart Recipients

Purpose: High sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) and pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) assays may be of value for rejection-surveillance in heart transplant (HT) recipients, a use that requires a better understanding of their behavior in rejection-free patients. Hypothesis: The serum concentrations of hs-TnT, pro-BNP and four other biomarkers will be elevated early post-HT and decline over time in rejection-free pediatric HT recipients. Methods: We measured serial biomarker concentrations in 24 children who received HT (median age at HT 6.6 yrs, range 0.5-16) at our institution between March 2013 and January 2014 and remained rejection-free by biopsy. All blood samples were prospectively collected at the time of biopsy. Patients with rejection (defined as ISHLT cellular Grade ≥2R or antibody mediated rejection) were excluded. Hs-TnT, pro-BNP, hs-CRP, ST2 (an interleukin 1 receptor inhibitor), galectin-3, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured from frozen stored serum samples. Resu...