BRIDGING ANTHROPOMETRY, CARDIAC BIOMARKERS AND DIELECTRIC IMAGING: RETROSPECTIVE INSIGHTS IN RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE PATIENTS
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Keywords
Anthropometry, Cardiac Biomarkers, Dielectric Imaging, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Subclinical Congestion
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to impose a substantial burden in low- and middle-income countries, yet objective tools for monitoring disease status remain underutilized. This study addressed the need to integrate multimodal assessment by examining the relationships between anthropometry, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), and Remote Dielectric Sensing (ReDS) in relation to New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class in RHD patients. In a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 100 adults meeting standardized diagnostic criteria, BMI, NT-ProBNP, and ReDS were measured alongside echocardiographic and clinical data. The primary objective was to evaluate whether ReDS and NT-ProBNP varied across NYHA classes and correlated with BMI. Results showed no significant variation in NT-ProBNP values median 2,145 pg/mL (IQR 612–3,487) in Class I, 2,097 pg/mL (1,048–3,292) in Class II, and 2,502 pg/mL (890–4,015) in Class III or ReDS across functional classes, suggesting that symptom-based classification alone may miss subclinical congestion. Gender analysis revealed higher ReDS scores in males, while NT-ProBNP showed no sex difference, indicating these modalities assess distinct physiological domains. Correlation analyses demonstrated weak, non-significant associations between BMI, NT-ProBNP, and ReDS. These findings highlight the potential of combining biomarkers and dielectric imaging for comprehensive RHD evaluation and support prospective validation with sex-specific interpretation protocols to optimize patient care.
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Dr Kiran Chandaliya
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, American International Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur Rajasthan ,Ex - senior specialist , medicine , RNT medical college , Udaipur , Rajasthan
Dr Mukesh Sharma
Senior professor and head, department of cardiology, RNT medical college , Udaipur , Rajasthan
Dr Sumit Kumar
Senior resident , Department of Cardiology ,RNT medical college, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Dr Nirali salgiya
Associate professor, Department of biochemistry, RNT medical college