Brain-type natriuretic peptide is a useful biomarker of cardiovascular disease and predictor of cardiac-related mortality in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Objective: To validate the use of brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for detecting and monitoring cardiac dysfunction in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional (N = 175) and longitudinal (N = 76) BNP, echocardiogram, ECG, and pathology data from living and deceased captive chimpanzees to examine age and sex effects and to assess the usefulness of BNP for detecting cardiovascular disease and predicting mortality. The study period was from July 2010 through October 2024.

Results: Brain-type natriuretic peptide values were significantly associated with age, and males exhibited significantly higher BNP values than females. Brain-type natriuretic peptide values were significantly heritable, with over half of variation in BNP being attributable to additive genetic effects. Chimpanzees with more severe cardiac scores based on echocardiograms and ECGs had significantly higher BNP values. Among 50 deceased chimpanzees, those with initial BNP values > 100 pg/mL were significantly more likely to have a cardiac-related causes of death than those with values < 100 pg/mL.

Conclusions: Brain-type natriuretic peptide values reflected cardiac scores, and lower BNP values were associated with increased survival rates. Importantly, BNP values over a clinical threshold of 100 pg/mL were a significant predictor of cardiac death.

Clinical relevance: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in great apes, and sudden cardiac death with few to no preceding clinical signs is common in chimpanzees. A biomarker for occult heart disease could help identify individuals requiring monitoring or intervention. Brain-type natriuretic peptide is a useful biomarker for heart disease in chimpanzees, which has important clinical relevance for facilities that house captive chimpanzees.