Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2008 | Research
Myocardial tissue Doppler echocardiography and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in diastolic and systolic heart failure
Authors:
Fabian Knebel, Stephan Eddicks, Ingolf Schimke, Michael Bierbaum, Sebastian Schattke, Mark Beling, Vanessa Raab, Gert Baumann, Adrian C Borges
Published in:
Cardiovascular Ultrasound
|
Issue 1/2008
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Abstract
Background
The aim of this prospective study was to assess the diagnostic value of NT-proBNP and the concordance with Tissue Doppler Echocardiography (including strain and longitudinal displacement) in diastolic and systolic heart failure.
Methods and results
137 consecutive clinically stable patients were included (42 healthy controls, 43 with diastolic heart failure, 52 with systolic heart failure). In diastolic heart failure, basal septal strain was reduced (-24.8 ± 8.1% vs. controls. -18.5 ± 5.3%, p < 0.0001). In all patients with preserved systolic function, septal basal longitudinal displacement was impaired in patients with increased left-ventricular filling pressures (E/E' < 8: 13.5 mm ± 3.3 mm vs. E/E' > 15: 8.5 mm ± 2.3 mm, p = 0.001) parallel to NT-proBNP elevation (E/E' < 8: 45.8 pg/ml, IQR: 172.5 pg/ml vs. E/E' > 15: 402.0 pg/ml, IQR: 1337.2 pg/ml; p = 0.0007). In ROC analysis, NT-proBNP could detect patients with reduced left ventricular systolic function (LVEF ≥ 55%) with a good diagnostic accuracy. However, the diagnostic accuracy of NT-proBNP to detect diastolic dysfunction was lower.
Conclusion
Subtle changes of longitudinal myocardial function begin in diastolic heart failure and are further increased in systolic heart failure. In patients with preserved LV function, a complex approach with the integration of multiple parameters including Tissue Doppler echocardiography and NT-proBNP is necessary to classify patients.