Accuracy of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in the identification of left ventricular dysfunction in high-risk asymptomatic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The role of natriuretic peptides in the screening of left ventricular dysfunction is still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement in asymptomatic patients at high risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty-four consecutive ambulatory patients (mean age 56.1 +/- 7 years) were studied and selected on the basis of a history of hypertension of at least 5 years. Systolic dysfunction was defined as an ejection fraction of 45% or less. Statistical analysis was performed by both parametric and nonparametric approaches. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis.


RESULTS
Echocardiography showed normal left ventricular function in 40 patients, diastolic dysfunction in 80 patients and systolic dysfunction in 14 patients. NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in patients with systolic dysfunction (356.1 +/- 294.8 vs. 85.2 +/- 85.8 pg/ml; P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed a high value of the area under the curve (0.89) for the detection of systolic dysfunction with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 80% for a cut-off value of 114 pg/ml and with a negative predictive value of 0.98.


CONCLUSIONS
In asymptomatic patients at high risk for heart failure because of a history of hypertension, the measurement of NT-proBNP levels may represent a useful screening test for left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Therefore, more expensive examinations, such as echocardiography, may be restricted only to patients with higher NT-proBNP levels.
Romano
Silvio
S
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy. silvio.romano@cc.univaq.it
Necozione
Stefano
S
Guarracini
Leonello
L
Fratini
Simona
S
Cisternino
Pasquale
P
di Orio
Ferdinando
F
Penco
Maria
M
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013318:Stroke Volume; D015854:Up-Regulation; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain