Application of plasma brain natriuretic peptide in diagnosis and treatment of heart failure

Objective To assess the usefulness of plasma brain natriuretic peptide for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart failure.Methods Seventy-nine patients with heart failure who were admitted to our hospital from March 2011 to December 2012 were enrolled as the study group;and 39 healthy subjects who sought consultations at our hospital in the same period were chosen as the control group.Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels in both groups were determined using fluorescence immunoassay,and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),and left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD) were measured with Doppler echocardiography.In addition,cardiac function was graded according to the New York Heart Association criteria.Diagnostic results of the two groups were analyzed and compared.Results Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group(P0.05).Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels showed significant difference across cardiac function grades I,II,III,and IV(P 0.05).In addition,plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels exhibited some correlation with LVEDD,LVEF,and LVESD.Conclusion Plasma brain natriuretic peptide is of great significance for the diagnosis of heart failure,particularly because it can sensitively reflect relevant indicators of ventricular function.Meanwhile,these indicators can also be used to assess therapeutic efficacy.Therefore,it is necessary to promote their clinical application.