title: NT-proBNP levels and resting hemodynamic parameters assessed by bioimpedance in patients with chronic heart failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether NT-proBNP levels are associated with resting hemodynamic parameters assessed by thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 55 consecutive patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and CHF--42 male, aged 50.3 +/- 13.5 years, 39% ischemic, 36% in NYHA functional class III and 9% in class IV, left ventricular ejection fraction 24.7 +/- 8.2%, 85% in sinus rhythm. After 15 minutes of rest, NT-proBNP was obtained and TEB studies were performed (BioZ ICG Monitor, CardioDynamics; mean of 20 minutes acquisition). Thoracic fluid content (TFC) is a TEB parameter that shows a good correlation with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NT-proBNP levels ranged from 42 to 12983 pg/ml (mean = 2505.8, SD = 2608.0, median = 1545). The correlations obtained presented in the table.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with CHF resting NT-proBNP levels correlate with SVI, LCWI and TFC assessed by TEB, the strongest correlation being with TFC.
authors.affiliation: Servigo de Cardiologia Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisboa, Portugal. joanafeliciano@netcabo.pt
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feliciano
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiarresga
authors.forename: Rita Marfn
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Rui Cruz
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain