Increased plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide reflect the presence of mildly reduced left ventricular diastolic function in hypertension.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The potential use of assays of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide for detection of diastolic abnormalities associated with alterations in blood pressure has not been elucidated. This study was designed to determine whether increased plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide sensitively reflect abnormal diastolic function associated with hypertension.

METHODS:

Concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in plasma were assayed in 40 previously untreated hypertensive patients without overt congestive heart failure and in 20 age and sex-matched controls. Hypertensive patients were studied with the use of pulsed Doppler and color M-mode Doppler echocardiography for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function.

RESULTS:

Concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were elevated in hypertensive patients [75.1+/-75.2 (SD) pg/ml compared with 37.9+/-38.5 in controls, P<0.05]. In hypertensive patients, concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were negatively correlated with the ratio of color M-mode flow propagation velocity to transmitral E velocity consistent with the view that increased concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide are indicative of alterations in diastolic function. Hypertensive patients with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide values above the mean value in the control group exhibited significantly increased brachial intimal-medial thickness and reduced wall stress, consistent with the view that increased N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was associated with favorable peripheral arterial remodeling.

CONCLUSIONS:

Elevated concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in plasma reflect the presence of left ventricular diastolic abnormalities and peripheral arterial remodeling in asymptomatic patients with hypertension.

• Authors: Tomoo Furumoto, Satoshi Fujii, Taisei Mikami, Mamiko Inoue, Keiko Nishihara, Sanae Kaga, Shogo Imagawa, Kazutomo Goto, Kaoru Komuro, Satoshi Yamada, Hisao Onozuka, Akira Kitabatake, Burton E Sobel
• Journal: Coronary artery disease (Coron Artery Dis) Vol. 17 Issue 1 Pg. 45-50 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 0954-6928 [Print] England
• PMID: 16374141 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Peptide Fragments
• pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
• Natriuretic Peptide, Brain

Topics

• Biomarkers (blood)
• Disease Progression
• Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hypertension (blood, complications, physiopathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myocardial Contraction (physiology)
• Natriuretic Peptide, Brain (blood)
• Peptide Fragments (blood)
• Prognosis
• Radioimmunoassay
• Ventricular Dysfunction, Left (blood, etiology, physiopathology)