Relation of B - type natriuretic peptide and left ventricular diastolic function

Objective To explore the change and implication of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)level in patients with asymptomatic and asymptomatic symptomatic left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. Methods Twenty normal controls and 60 patients referred for echocardiography to evaluate the presence LV dysfunction. Patients with abnormal systolic function were excluded. Patients were classified as asymptomatic LV diastolic dysfunction group and minimally symptomatic LV diastolic dysfunction group. The plasma BNP concentrations was determined by solid - phase immunoradiometric assay. Results Asymptomatic LV diastolic dysfunction group and symptomatic LV diastolic dysfunction group had higher BNP level than normal controls (P0.01). Patients with symptomatic diastolic dysfunction had higher BNP level than those patients with asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction (P 0.01). Conclusions BNP elevated makes an useful indicator for LV diastolic function.