[Plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide reference value in subjects without heart diseases].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the reference value of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in subjects without heart diseases.


METHODS
The plasma concentration of NT-proBNP was measured with ELISA method in 300 adults excluded heart disease through various examinations including electrocardiography, echocardiography, X-ray and coronary artery angiography. The plasma NT-proBNP concentration was compared between age-groups 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and > or = 70 years old, between male and female in the same age-group and between subjects with and without hypertension, diabetes and obesity. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to detect factors influencing NT-proBNP among age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, serum creatinine, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, Ca(2+)-antagonist, and beta-blocker.


RESULTS
The plasma NT-proBNP concentration increased in proportion to aging in male subjects more than 60 years old (P < 0.05), remained unchanged in males less than 60 years old and females (P > 0.05). Plasma NT-proBNP concentration was significantly higher in female (170-660 pmol/L) than in male (160-470 pmol/L) in subjects less than 60 years old (P < 0.05) and significantly lower in female (180-560 pmol/L) than in male (180-760 pmol/L) in subjects more than 60 years old (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that age was the only independent predictor for plasma NT-proBNP in these subjects (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The plasma concentration of NT-proBNP in subjects without heart diseases was different between male and female, and was increasing with age in male subjects more than 60 years old.
Heart Failure Care Unit, Cardiovascular Institute and Fu Wai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100037, China.
Bing-Qi
BQ
Wei
Yue-Jin
YJ
Yang
Jian
J
Zhang
Chun-Ling
CL
Zhang
Bo
B
Xu
Run-Lin
RL
Gao
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values
D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain