Abstract

Background: The determination of NT-proBNP- values is increasingly used to distinguish dyspnoea induced by heart failure from pulmonary associated dyspnoea. Furthermore, the course of heart failure is studied with this parameter, especially the effectiveness of heart failure treatment. Similar observations with NT-proBNP-values were increasingly seen in heart failure due to hypertensive origin, in this context especially as a follow up of antihypertensive drug-therapy. In contrast to this biochemical determined parameter the pulse pressure-value exists as a hemodynamic control in treatment of hypertension. Therefore we performed a research on a connection between NT-proBNP-values and pulse pressure-values to prove a possible correlation. Methods: NT-proBNP-levels were analyzed before left-heart catheterization in 100 patients (unselected population; m = 73, w = 27; 61.2 ± 9.7 years). The determination of NT- proBNP in plasma was performed using the electrochemiluminescence technology in the fully automatic Elecsyc®analyser (Roche-Diagnostics) and the Elecsys®proBNP immunoassay (Roche-Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). The pulse pressure-value was invasively measured in the aortic arch before application of contrast-medium. The NT-proBNP values were compared to the invasively measured pulse pressure-values accordingly. Results: The NT-proBNP values in correlation to the pulse pressue-values are pointed out in the scatter-diagram. There was no significant correlation between both parameters (coefficent = 0.014). Conclusion: A safe and reliable correlation between NT-proBNP-values and pulse pressue was not found. On the other hand a great variation of NT-proBNP -levels was observed concerning the corresponding pulse pressure values. An augmented NT-proBNP level without correspondance to the pulse pressure value may perhaps be a prognostic marker of an initial heart failure-syndrome induced by hypertension.

Author Details

Authors

• B. Gremmler¹
• K. Kisters²
• M. Kunert¹
• H. Schleiting¹

Departments

• ¹ Department of Cardiology, Marienhospital Bottrop, Germany
• ² Internal Medicine, St. Anna-Hospital, Herne, and University of Münster, Germany, and
• ³ University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany

Address

Dr. B. Gremmler,
PD Dr. L. Ulbricht
Marienhospital Bottrop
Department of Cardiology
Josef-Albers-Straße 70
46236 Bottrop, Germany
Email: [email protected]

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