Plasma BNP levels are determined by the severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction but not the types of underlying heart disease.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of the study was to investigate whether there is a difference in plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels among the left ventricular systolic dysfunction caused by different types of heart disease.


RESULTS
Plasma BNP was measured in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction as a result of mitral valve regurgitation (n=26), hypertension (n=36), coronary heart disease (n=37) and dilated cardiomyopathy (n=32). The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and ejection fraction were assessed with echocardiography. The valvular heart disease group had more women and was younger (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the New York Heart Association functional class, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and ejection fraction among the four groups (p < 0.05). The average plasma BNP was also similar among the four groups of patients. In each group, a significant correlation between the levels of BNP and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter or ejection fraction was identified (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma BNP concentrations during left ventricular systolic dysfunction are associated with left ventricular diameter and function, but they are not determined by the causes of the heart failure.
Wei
Tiemin
T
Department of Cardiology, Lishui City Central Hospital, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, the People's Republic of China. weitm@lishui.gov.cn
Zeng
Chunlai
C
Chen
Qunying
Q
Chen
Liping
L
Zhao
Ruiying
R
Lu
Ganxin
G
Lu
Chunling
C
Wang
Lexin
L
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D013318:Stroke Volume; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain