Brain natriuretic peptide and the athlete's heart: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in differentiating the athlete's heart from maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy is unclear.


METHODS
To address this issue, an integrated M mode, two-dimensional B mode and Doppler echocardiographical study were performed and plasma BNP levels were measured in 25 strength athletes, 25 patients with established hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 25 healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
Among athletes, BNP levels correlated negatively with the total training time (r = -0.79, p = 0.002) and positively with ejection fraction (r = 0.58, p = 0.049) and fractional shortening (r = 0.57, p = 0.049). A BNP cut-off value of 11.8 pg/ml had 88% specificity and 74% negative predictive value for the exclusion of HCM.


CONCLUSIONS
Brain natriuretic peptide might be useful as a preparticipation screening test in athletes.
Pagourelias
E D
ED
Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Giannoglou
G
G
Kouidi
E
E
Efthimiadis
G K
GK
Zorou
P
P
Tziomalos
K
K
Karagiannis
A
A
Athyros
V G
VG
Geleris
P
P
Mikhailidis
D P
DP
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013177:Sports; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain