title: N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide as a predictor of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in hemodialysis patients without fluid overload.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The diagnostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (EF; HF-PEF) was evaluated in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 83 patients were analyzed. Left-ventricular (LV) function was assessed using trans-thoracic Doppler echocardiography, and indices of hydration status were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Plasma NT-pro BNP levels were measured simultaneously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A moderate negative correlation was found between NT-pro BNP and LVEF. Subsequently, 77 HD patients who maintained their LVEF (LVEF >50%) were analyzed. Patients with a clinical suspicion of LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD; E/A ≤0.75) showed higher NT-pro BNP levels (p = 0.021), but no significant differences in hydration status were observed between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NT-pro BNP level may be a very helpful biomarker in screening for LVDD and HF-PEF and determining the need for echocardiography or a sophisticated cardiac study, even in HD patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. chako_choco@energy.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: Chisako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kamano
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Osawa
authors.forename: Kazumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Shungo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Sabiene Kyoko
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kashiwagi
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iino
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Katayama
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain