Left ventricular cavity area reflects N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels in heart failure.

Aims: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is useful in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF). LV two-dimensional cavity area from end-diastole (LVEDA) and end-systole (LVESA), and LV fractional area change (LVFAC) reflect changes in LV morphology and function without using geometric assumptions. In a multicenter study, we correlated LVEDA, LVESA and LVFAC with NT-proBNP, comparing patients with dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Methods and results: We studied 106 HF patients. In the dilated group, NT-proBNP correlated with LVEDAI (r = 0.6), LVESAI (r = 0.7) and LVFAC (r = -0.6), ail significant at p < 0.001. In patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy we found LVESAI (r = 0.3, p < 0.05) and LVFAC (r = -0.4, p < 0.01). After adjustment for age and BMI, LVFAC and LVESAI were associated in a multiple linear regression analysis with peptide levels (adjusted r(2) = 0.5, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study we found a good correlation of NT-proBNP with LV cavity areas and LVFAC. Multiple regression analysis showed that when adjusted for age and BMI, LVFAC and LVESAI are independent predictors of NT-proBNP levels in both dilated and ischemic etiologies. Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy showed better results than those with ischemic cardiomyopathy. We think LV areas are a useful and reproducible parameter, do not need geometric assumptions and reflect NT-proBNP plasma levels. (C) 2005 The European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.