Brain natriuretic peptide response is heterogeneous during beta-blocker therapy for congestive heart failure.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are useful marker to guide medical treatment in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We tested the hypothesis that the plasma BNP concentration would be a useful marker of beta-blocker therapy for CHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Eighty-four patients with New York Heart Association class II-IV CHF and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% were treated with beta-blockers, including metoprolol and carvedilol, for at least 16 weeks. End-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions decreased, and radionuclide LVEF increased 4 weeks after introduction of beta-blockers (early phase). LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions both decreased, and LVEF increased 16 to 48 weeks after the therapy (late phase). However, the BNP concentration did not change during the observation period. Overall LV function improved in all 4 subgroups divided according to the baseline BNP levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

Plasma BNP concentration is not a sensitive marker of successful beta-blocker therapy for CHF.

• Authors: Akihiro Yoshizawa, Tsutomu Yoshikawa, Iwao Nakamura, Toru Satoh, Kazunori Moritani, Masahiro Suzuki, Akiyasu Baba, Shiro Iwanaga, Hideo Mitamura, Satoshi Ogawa
• Journal: Journal of cardiac failure (J Card Fail) Vol. 10 Issue 4 Pg. 310-5 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 1071-9164 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15309697 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Biomarkers
• Carbazoles
• Propanolamines
• Carvedilol
• Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
• Metoprolol

Topics

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Carbazoles (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Carvedilol
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Heart Failure (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Metoprolol (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Myocardial Contraction (drug effects)
• Natriuretic Peptide, Brain (blood, drug effects)
• Propanolamines (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Stroke Volume (drug effects)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Ventricular Function, Left (drug effects)