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AIM: To investigate plasma levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), an established marker of cardiac function, in patients with chronic hepatitis C during interferon-based antiviral therapy.METHODS: Using a sandwich immunoassay, plasma levels of NT-proBNP were determined in 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C at baseline, wk 24 and 48 during antiviral therapy and at wk 72 during follow-up.RESULTS: Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05) at wk 24, 48 and 72 compared to the baseline values. NT-proBNP concentrations at baseline and wk 24 were closely correlated (r = 0.8; P ＜ 0.001). At wk 24, 7 (14.6%)patients had NT-proBNP concentrations above 200 ng/L compared to 1 (2%) patient at baseline (P = 0.059).Six of these 7 patients had been treated with high-dose IFN-α induction therapy. In multiple regression analysis,NT-proBNP was not related to other clinical parameters,biochemical parameters of liver disease or virus load and response to therapy.CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of NT-proBNP during and after interferon-based antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C may indicate the presence of cardiac dysfunction, which may contribute to the clinical symptoms observed in patients during therapy. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP may be used as a diagnostic tool and for guiding therapy in patients during interferonbased antiviral therapy.