title: Correlation between N-terminal pro B-natriuretic peptide and ultrasonic backscatter: implications for diastolic dysfunction in hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to determine how N-terminal pro brain-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels correlate with cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (CVIBS) as a reflection of abnormal diastolic function in hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty essentially hypertensive patients were studied. CVIBS values were obtained from the septal wall in the parasternal long-axis view. Twelve had normal diastolic function, 18 had impaired relaxation, and 10 had pseudonormal pattern.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with normal diastolic function had a mean NT-proBNP concentration of 34 +/- 17 pg/ml and a mean CVIBS value of 7.1 +/- 0.9 dB; those with impaired relaxation had a mean NT-proBNP concentration of 71 +/- 25 pg/ml and a mean CVIBS value of 6.7 +/- 1.1 dB. Patients with pseudonormal pattern had the highest NT proBNP levels (206 +/- 75 pg/ml) and lowest CVIBS values (5.7 +/- 0.9 dB). An NT-proBNP value of 62 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 91%; a CVIBS value of 7.2 dB had a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 66.7% for detecting diastolic dysfunction. An NT-proBNP value of 120 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 96%; a CVIBS value of 6.1 dB had a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 75% for detecting severe diastolic dysfunction. A close correlation was found between the NT-proBNP and CVIBS values (r: 0.54, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combinative use of NT-proBNP and CVIBS can detect the presence of diastolic abnormalities on echocardiography. A good correlation was found between the NT-proBNP and CVIBS values in detecting diastolic dysfunction in essentially hypertensive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tarkan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tekten
authors.forename: Cigdem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yenisey
authors.forename: Ceyhun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ceyhan
authors.forename: Alper O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Onbasili
authors.forename: Guzel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Discigil
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Unal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003971:Diastole; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain