冠心病患者脑钠肽与冠状动脉病变程度的相关性研究

目的探讨脑钠肽与冠心病患者冠状动脉(冠脉)病变严重程度的相关性。方法入选行冠脉造影检查的冠心病患者173例,所有患者入院后均行冠脉造影检查及血浆脑钠肽(BNP)检查,分析不同冠脉病变支数、冠心病分型、冠脉病变程度(Gensini积分)与患者血清BNP水平之间的关系。结果随着冠脉病变支数增加,患者BNP水平呈显著增加趋势(P0.05)。稳定型心绞痛、不稳定型心绞痛、心肌梗死三组患者BNP水平呈显著增加趋势,三组BNP水平之间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。BNP100pg/ml的患者Gensini积分显著高于BNP100 pg/ml的患者Gensini积分,分别为(53.7±15.9)分vs.(29.3±20.7)分,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。Gensini积分与BNP水平存在显著正相关(r=0.476,P0.05)。结论 BNP水平与冠心病患者冠脉病变严重程度正相关,BNP水平有可能作为冠心病患者冠脉病变严重程度的判断指标。     

冠心病患者冠脉病变严重程度影响因素分析

目的 探讨冠心病患者冠状动脉(冠脉)病变严重程度的相关影响因素.方法 拟诊冠心病或确诊冠心病的住院患者340例,按冠脉造影结果分为冠脉正常组(120例)、单支病变组(78例)、双支病变组(66例)和三支病变组(76例).采用Gensini积分法评价冠脉狭窄程度.以Gensini积分为因变量,年龄、吸烟史、体质量指数(BMI)、主动脉收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、脉压差(PP)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、冠脉病变支数为自变量,进行Pearson直线相关分析和多元线性回归分析,建立多元回归方程.结果 Pearson直线相关分析显示年龄、吸烟史、SBP、PP、TG、HDL-C、冠脉病变支数与Gensini积分有关(r分别为0.20、0.28、0.15、0.19、0.57、-0.18、0.79,P均＜0.05);校正年龄性别后,仅PP与Gensini积分仍呈正相关(P＜0.05).多元线性回归分析结果显示脉压、年龄、吸烟史为影响冠心病患者冠状动脉狭窄程度的独立危险因素(P均＜0.05).所建立的多元回归方程为:y(Gensini积分)=16.018 +0.603×年龄(岁)+2.078×吸烟史(年)+0.298×PP(mmHg).结论 主动脉PP是冠脉病变严重程度的独立影响因素.     

冠心病患者N端脑钠肽前体水平与冠脉病变程度的相关性

目的探讨冠心病患者冠状动脉病变程度与N端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)之间的关系和临床意义。方法选择100例行冠状动脉造影检查的患者作为研究对象,造影结果正常21例(对照组),造影检查明确诊断为冠心病79例,其中稳定型心绞痛21例(SAP组)、不稳定型心绞痛30例(UAP组)、急性心肌梗死28例(AMI组)。采用Gensini积分评估冠状动脉病变严重程度,同时测定NT-proBNP、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB),分析患者NT-proBNP、CK-MB水平变化与冠脉造影冠状动脉病变严重程度之间的关系。结果 AMI组平均NT-proBNP水平明显高于UAP组、SAP组和对照组(P<0.05)。UAP组平均NT-proBNP水平明显高于SAP组和对照组(P<0.05),SAP组平均NT-proBNP水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。AMI组的NT-proBNP水平与CK-MB水平有明显的相关性(r=0.450,P<0.01)。冠脉造影结果闭塞组NT-proBNP水平明显高于狭窄组和无狭窄组(P<0.05)。狭窄组NT-proBNP水平高于无狭窄组(P<0.05)。NT-proBNP水平与Gensini积分有明显相关性(r=0.962,P<0.01)。结论 NT-proBNP与冠心病心肌缺血程度和冠状动脉狭窄程度呈正相关,测定NT-proBNP水平对冠心病患者的诊断、病情评估具有一定的临床意义。     

脑钠肽对2型糖尿病患者并发冠心病的预测价值

目的探讨2型糖尿病患者血中脑钠肽（BNP）水平与患者并发冠心病的关系,以了解BNP能否预测2型糖尿病患者并发冠心病,了解BNP与不同类型冠心病的关系。方法测定180例2型糖尿病并发冠心病患者血中BNP水平,同时测定180例单纯2型糖尿病患者BNP水平,比较两组患者BNP的差异和不同类型冠心病患者之间BNP的差异。结果2型糖尿病并发冠心病患者BNP水平显著高于单纯2型糖尿病患者（P〈0．01）;不同类型冠心病患者BNP水平存在显著差异（P〈0．01）。结论2型糖尿病并发冠心病与BNP水平密切相关,测定2型糖尿病患者BNP水平能预测其并发冠心病的风险,还能根据BNP水平协助冠心病患者进行临床分型。     

糖尿病对应用视网膜血管直径评价冠心病严重程度的影响

目的:探讨糖尿病对使用视网膜动脉、视网膜静脉直径评价冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（CHD）患者病变严重程度的影响。方法: 对120例经冠状动脉造影确诊为CHD的患者进行眼底照相,使用Parr-Hubbard公式计算视网膜中央动脉直径等效值（central retinal arteriolar equivalents,CRAE）和视网膜中央静脉直径等效值（central retinal venular equivalents,CRVE）,以此分别代表视网膜动脉和视网膜静脉的平均直径。应用Gensini评分标准评价冠状动脉病变程度。通过问卷调查和抽取静脉血获取其他心血管危险因素。研究糖尿病对视网膜血管直径和Gensini评分结果相关性的影响,以及其它心血管危险因素对视网膜血管直径的影响。结果: 糖尿病可使患者的CRVE增加,而对CRAE无影响。糖尿病对Gensini评分与CRAE的相关性具有显著性影响,而不影响Gensini与CRVE的相关性。其他与CRAE有相关性的其他指标有年龄、性别、收缩压、舒张压、平均动脉压、体质量指数、吸烟史、高血压病史和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇。而与CRVE有相关性的有年龄、吸烟史、高血压病史和糖化血红蛋白。结论:视网膜血管直径在一定程度上可反映CHD病变严重程度,但是需考虑到糖尿病及其它心血管危险因素对于评估的影响。     

冠心病患者冠脉病变程度与脑钠肽及和肽素水平的相关性

【】目的：对冠心病病人的病变的程度和脑钠肽以及和肽素的水平之间的关系进行探究。方法：选取我院2014年1月至2015年1月的冠心病病人166例,健康的参照者38例,将166例冠心病病人根据病症分为三组,分别为稳定心绞痛组、不稳定心绞痛组和心肌梗死组;以38例健康的参照者为参照组。检测并比较四组之间的血浆脑钠肽与和肽素的水平,除此之外还要比较两组受检者的冠状动脉左主干病变的程度、病变支数、冠状动脉的Gensin评分和脑钠肽的水平相关性。结果：四组受检者的脑钠肽与和肽素的水平比较均有差异,具有统计学上的意义(P<0.05),且心肌梗死组病人的脑钠肽与和肽素的水平与不稳定心绞痛组的病人比较具有统计学上的差异(P<0.05),脑尿钠肽与和肽素的水平与病人的冠状动脉的左主干病变的程度和病变支数以及冠状动脉的Gensin评分呈现正相关的状态(P<0.05)。结论：冠心病病人的血浆脑尿钠肽与和肽素的水平与病人冠状动脉的病变有一定的相关性,能够正确反映冠心病病人的心肌受损程度,对于临床治疗具有重大的意义。     

房颤患者心钠肽和脑钠肽水平与左室舒张功能相关性研究

血浆心钠肽(type A natriuretic peptide,ANP)、脑钠肽(typeB natriuretic peptide,BNP)水平在心血管疾病的诊断、治疗及预后判定等方面均有重要的临床价值,尤其对于心力衰竭方面的应用更为广泛。研究发现在心房颤动(atrialfi rillation,AF)患者中血浆BNP水平明显升高〔1〕,表明其参与了AF发生的病理生理机制。临床中存在一部分左室射血分数(LVEF)正常的心力衰竭患者,美国ACC/AHA2005年成人慢性心力衰竭诊断和治疗指南将其称为LVEF正常的心力衰竭。这些患者左心室舒张功能与ANP、BNP水平的关系尚未完全阐明,尤其是合并心房颤…     

冠心病患者同型半胱氨酸、脑钠肽与冠脉病变的相关性

目的：探讨冠心病（CHD）患者同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）、脑钠肽（BNP）与冠状动脉病变程度的关系及临床意义。方法：选择CHD患者80例,根据临床表现,心电图变化及心肌损伤标志物水平分为急性心肌梗死组（AMI组）,不稳定型心绞痛组（UAP组）和稳定型心绞痛组（SAP组）,并设正常对照组58例,测定所有研究对象血浆Hcy、BNP水平,并进行组间对比。结果：AMI、UAP组及SAP组血浆Hcy[（26.72±4.62）μmol/L比（20.28±4.05）μmol/L比（15.34±3.93）μmol/L]、BNP[（480.27±70.84）pg/ml比（312.25±62.54）pg/ml比（215.78±68.27）pg/ml]水平均明显高于正常对照组的[（11.27±3.58）μmol/L,（35.14±17.12）pg/ml],各组间比较差异均有显著性（P均〈0.05）;随着冠状动脉病变Gensini评分的增加,Hcy、BNP浓度明显升高（P〈0.05）。结论：冠心病患者血浆同型半胱氨酸、脑钠肽水平明显升高,与冠状动脉病变程度有关。     

冠状动脉病变程度与血浆脑利尿钠肽浓度的相关性

目的 探讨冠状动脉病变程度与血浆脑利尿钠肽(BNP)浓度之间的相关性.方法 选取因胸闷、胸痛在本院心脏中心住院行冠状动脉造影检查的患者138例,采用Gensini积分系统,对冠脉造影中每支冠脉血管病变狭窄程度进行定量评定.按冠状动脉病变多少分为正常对照组,单支病变组,双支病变组和多支病变组.采用放射免疫法测定BNP,比较各组间BNP的差异.结果 冠心病组糖尿病、高血压、吸烟比例与正常对照组有统计学差异,多支病变组糖尿病、高血压、吸烟比例及肌酐、尿酸、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)水平与正常对照组间有统计学差异；冠状动脉病变组的高密度脂蛋白(HDL)均低于正常对照组,多支病变组与正常对照组间有统计学差异.冠心病组BNP均高于正常对照组,但是多支病变组明显高于其他各组.结论 冠状动脉多支病变患者BNP明显升高,BNP与冠状动脉多支病变具有明显的相关性,BNP可作为判断冠状动脉多支病变的指标之一.     

磷酸肌酸钠对心力衰竭患者左室功能及血浆脑钠肽的影响

目的观察磷酸肌酸钠（CP）对慢性心衰患者心功能及血浆脑钠肽（BNP）的影响。方法慢性心衰患者64例，随机分为对照组32例和治疗组32例。对照组给予洋地黄制剂、利尿剂、硝酸酯类药物、ACEI、ARB或β受体阻滞剂治疗；治疗组在此基础上加用磷酸肌酸钠2．0g，静脉滴注，1天1次，疗程14天。观察治疗前及治疗后患者的心功能及BNP水平。结果与治疗前相比，治疗组左室射血分粼LVFF），每搏输出量（SV）、心输出量（CO）明显改善，与对照组比较，差异显著，P〈0．05；疗后治疗组与对照组比较，BNP水平显著降低，P〈0．05。结论CP可辅助治疗慢性心衰，改善心功能，特别是左室收缩功能。     

Association of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide, and brain natriuretic peptide levels with coronary artery stenosis in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function

PURPOSE: To examine whether coronary artery stenosis affects plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (proANP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function. METHODS: We studied 104 consecutive patients with normal left ventricular function and suspected coronary artery stenosis. Plasma natriuretic peptide levels were measured by immunoradiometric assays. RESULTS: Plasma levels of ANP, N-terminal proANP, and BNP were higher in patients with (n = 65) than in those without (n = 39) coronary artery stenosis, whereas hemodynamic variables were similar. Patients who had coronary artery stenosis with only distal lesions (n = 36) had higher levels of all three natriuretic peptides than did patients with no coronary artery stenosis. N-terminal proANP levels were significantly higher in patients who had coronary artery stenosis with proximal lesions (n = 29) than in patients who had coronary artery stenosis with only distal lesions and those with no coronary artery stenosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that N-terminal proANP, but not ANP or BNP, was independently associated with coronary artery stenosis after adjusting for clinical and demographic variables (odds ratio per 100 fmol/mL increase = 1.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.9 to 2.6; P = 0.01). However, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of each peptide were not sufficiently high to be used for prediction. CONCLUSION: N-terminal proANP may be associated with clinically important coronary artery stenosis in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function, but its clinical usefulness may be limited.     

血浆脑钠素浓度与心功能不全患者心脏收缩功能的关系

目的探讨脑钠素(BNP)浓度与心功能不全严重程度及左室收缩功能的关系。方法用放射免疫分析法测定了43例心功能不全患者(观察组)的BNP浓度，采用超声心动图测量并计算其左室射血分数(LVEF)、舒张末期内径(LVED)、左房内径(LAID)并与18例健康人(对照组)比较。结果观察组BNP浓度显著高于对照组；BNP浓度与NYHA分级呈正相关，BNP浓度与左室收缩功能不全程度具有良好的相关性。结论BNP浓度可以反映心力衰竭的严重程度及左室收缩功能不全的程度。     

N-端心房利钠肽与N-端脑利钠肽对预测左室收缩功能障碍的价值

目的比较N-端心房利钠肽(心钠素NT-proANP)和N-端脑钠肽(NT-proBNP)对左室收缩功能障碍(LVSD)预测效率,依据二者特性确定适用范围并界定最佳下限(cut-off)值。方法入选心血管病患者380例(病例组),依据左室射血分数(LVEF)将患者划分为LVSD组(LVEF≤40%,n=90)及非LVSD组(LVEF40%,n=290)。另选136名健康体检者作为对照组。超声心动图测定LVEF;ELISA法测定血浆NT-proANP和NT-proB-NP浓度。描记NT-proANP和NT-proBNP预测左室收缩功能障碍受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线。依据年龄(以65岁为分界)、性别及原发心血管疾病种类划分亚组,分别描记各组患者NT-proANP和NT-proBNP预测左室收缩功能障碍ROC曲线;确定最佳cut-off值。结果病例组血浆NT-proANP和NT-proBNP浓度均显著高于对照组log(NT-proANP):(3.30±0.41)vs(2.98±0.16),P0.01;log(NT-proBNP):(2.71±0.30)vs(2.49±0.13),P0.01。NT-proANP和NT-proBNP对不同程度LVSD(LVEF≤40%或LVEF≤30%)患者诊断ROC曲线下面积(AUC)均大于0.73(P0.01);对LVEF≤40%的患者,NT-proANPAUC大于NT-proBNP(0.820vs0.738);对LVEF≤30%的患者,NT-proANPAUC明显小于NT-proBNP(0.853vs0.877)。根据各亚组ROC曲线确定cut-off值,NT-proANP为1676.92pmol/L时对各组LVSD预测敏感度88.9%～100%;特异度14.0%～58.7%;阳性预测值9.04%～30.04%;阴性预测值96.96%～98.77%。NT-proBNP为417.37pmol/L时,敏感度77.8%～94.4%;特异度10.0%～55.8%;阳性预测值7.07%～48.88%;阴性预测值94.46%～98.87%。结论 NT-proBNP与NT-proANP均能够反映心力衰竭高危人群心脏功能状态,可作为LVSD的诊断指标,对于LVEF≤40%的预测,NT-proANP效果优于NT-proBNP,有助于早期发现LVSD患者。     

左心室收缩功能正常的老年冠心病患者无保护左主干病变PCI治疗预后的影响因素

目的 探讨左心室收缩功能正常（左心室射血分数≥40％）的老年冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）患者无保护左主干（unprotected left main,ULM）病变经皮冠状动脉介入（percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI）治疗预后的影响因素.方法 回顾性分析2009年1月至2011年12月在广西壮族自治区人民医院因ULM接受PCI治疗的左心室收缩功能正常的患者112例的临床资料和冠状动脉造影结果.根据患者的情况分为非老年组（年龄＜60岁）和老年组（≥60岁）,比较两组间的基线资料和冠状动脉造影结果.应用多因素回归分析法观察年龄对ULM介入治疗结果的预测价值.结果 总计入选符合条件的患者112例,其中非老年组42例和老年组70例.老年组糖尿病、高脂血症、吸烟史、既往PCI治疗、主要心脑血管不良事件（MACCE）、术后心肌梗死发生率明显高于非老年组,差异有统计学意义（分别为42.9％ vs.21.1％,P=0.021;40％ vs.11.9％,P=0.040; 28.6％ vs.9.5％,P=0.017;18.6％ vs.4.8％,P=0.038;48.6％ vs.23.8％,P=0.009;22.9％ vs.0％,P=0.001）.Logistics回归分析得出女性、年龄、吸烟史、合并多支血管病变、远端或分叉病变均为主要心脑血管不良事件的独立预测因素.结论 左心室收缩功能正常的患者,其年龄因素是ULM介入治疗预后不良的强力预测因素.     

Doppler echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular filling dynamics in patients with coronary heart disease and normal systolic function

The purpose of this study was to assess altered left ventriculardiastolic filling by noninvasive means in patients with coronaryartery disease and normal systolic pump function. Mitral inflowvelocity was measured by pulsed Doppler, and left ventricularvolumes were obtained from cross-sectional echocardiographyat rest and during upright bicycle exercise. Peak and integratedearly and late diastolic filling velocities were calculatedfrom Doppler-derived time-velocity curves. Studies were performedin normal subjects (group I, n = 8) and in patients with angiographicallyproven coronary artery disease (Group II, n = 18). The ejectionfraction was not significantly different in group II as comparedto group I (group 1, 60 ± 7%; group II, 55 ± 11%).During exercise, ejection fraction increased significantly ingroup I by 7·6%, but did not increase in group II. Inall cases, diastolic filling showed a biphasic pattern. At rest,the major part of diastolic filling occurred during early diastole:the ratio of early filling velocity integral (E) to the latefilling velocity integral (L) was significantly greater in groupI than in group II (group I, 1·74 ± 37; groupII, 1·19 ±·3, P<0·001). Duringexercise, early diastolic filling was unchanged in normal subjectsbut decreased in patients, with a significant decrease in E/Lindex of 34% (P < 0·001). Thus, pulsed Doppler echocardiography provides a useful methodfor assessing noninvasively exercise-induced changes in leftventricular diastolic filling dynamics in patients with coronaryartery disease.     

Left ventricular systolic function in children with coronary arterial lesion following Kawasaki disease

Seventy-five children with Kawasaki disease underwent quantitative left ventricular cineangiography, and angiographic measurements were made to obtain left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (mVcf). In addition, left ventricular pressure and echocardiograms were taken simultaneously before and after nitroprusside infusion using a micromanometer. In the present study, the slope of the line describing end-systolic pressure-diameter relations (Emax) was calculated. The 75 children with Kawasaki disease were classified into five groups according to the severity or condition of associated coronary lesions: Grade 0 group (normal--no significant enlargement of the coronary artery is seen), grade 1 group (mild state of lesion--the maximum diameter of the coronary artery is 4.0 mm or less), grade 2 group (moderate state of lesion--the maximum diameter of the coronary artery is 4.0-8.0 mm), grade 3 group (serious state of lesion--the maximum diameter of the coronary artery is 8.0 mm or over, i.e., giant aneurysm), and stenotic lesion (SL) group (myocardial infarction or various other stenotic lesions are involved). Each group was investigated for each index of left ventricular function. In the grade 2 group, the averaged value of LVEF was slightly smaller than those for the grade 0 and 1 groups, while in the grade 3 and SL groups, the averaged values of LVEF were markedly smaller than those for all other groups. Grade 3 and SL groups showed averaged mVcf values that were smaller than those for other groups, while grade 2-3 and SL groups showed averaged values of Emax that were markedly smaller than those for the remaining groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Detection of diastolic left ventricular function abnormalities in patients with coronary artery disease and normal systolic function

We angiographically calculated left ventricular (LV) filling in 50 patients, all of whom had normal systolic LV function and 21 (42%) of whom had coronary artery disease. Five volume determinations were made: at end systole (ESV), first third (DV 1/3, half (DV 1/2), and second third of diastole (DV 2/3), and at the end of diastole (EDV). To assess different modalities of filling, we calculated filling fractions in the first third (FF 1/3) as the ratio of volume filled in the first third diastole (DV 1/3-ESV) over total diastolic filling (EDV-ESV). Similar filling fractions (FF) were calculated at half (FF 1 /2), second third (FF 2/3), and last third (FF 3/3) of diastole. We found significant differences between normal and coronary artery disease patients as follows: FF 1/3: 37.4± 14.9 versus 23.8±11.9%, respectively (p<0.002); FF 1/2: 58.6±14.7 versus 45.3±15.1% (p<0.005); FF 2/3: 33.8±15.2 versus 39.0±10.4% (NS), and differences in the opposite direction in the FF 3/3: 28.8± 15.2 versus 37.2±11.9% (p<0.02), respectively. We conclude that LV filling is accomplished differently in patients with coronary artery disease even if they have normal systolic function.     

B-Type natriuretic peptide levels predict extent and severity of coronary artery disease in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome and normal left ventricular function

Background

B-type natriuretic peptide has been used as a biological marker for prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, a relation between the quantity of BNP levels and the severity of coronary artery disease has not been systematically evaluated.

Methods

197 patients with ACS without ST elevation with normal LV systolic function were enrolled. BNP was measured in all recruited patients within 12 h of hospitalization. All patients underwent coronary angiography. We correlated BNP levels in patients with unstable angina (USAP) and non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with angiographic disease severity including Gensini Score.

Results

BNP levels were significantly higher in the NSTEMI group in comparison to the USAP Group (161 ± 149.3 vs 79.6 ± 94.2 pg/mL; p < 0.001). BNP levels rose significantly with increasing number of vessels involved (1-vessel = 51.4 ± 31.6; 2-vessels = 114.0 ± 67.8; 3 vessels = 265.4 ± 188.8 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Most importantly, BNP> 80 pg/ml was found to strongly predict the presence of Triple vessel disease (odds ratio 18.87; 95% confidence intervals 5.36–66.36), and Double vessel disease (odds ratio 3.62; 95% confidence intervals 1.75–7.47). In single vessel group, BNP was significantly higher when LAD was involved vessel (64.78 vs 49.76 pg/mL, p < 0.05).Gensini Score showed a strong correlation with BNP levels (r = 0.675, p < 0.01), and Gensini Score was significantly higher in those with BNP> 80 pg/ml (40.9 ± 29.7 vs 13.4 ± 16.5 p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Circulating BNP levels appear elevated in Non ST Elevation ACS, even in the absence of LV systolic dysfunction. High BNP levels are associated with multi-vessel disease and diffuse coronary atherosclerosis.     

Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in systolic heart failure: importance of left ventricular diastolic function and right ventricular systolic function

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to characterize the importance of echocardiographic indexes, including newer indexes of diastolic function, as determinants of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with systolic heart failure (SHF). BACKGROUND: Plasma BNP levels have utility for diagnosing and managing heart failure. However, there is significant heterogeneity in BNP levels that is not explained by left ventricular size and function alone. METHODS: In 106 patients with symptomatic SHF (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <0.35), we measured plasma BNP levels and performed comprehensive echocardiography with assessment of left ventricular diastolic function, including color M-mode (CMM) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and of right ventricular (RV) function. RESULTS: Median plasma BNP levels were elevated and increased with greater severity of diastolic dysfunction. We found significant correlations (p < 0.001 for all) between BNP and indexes of myocardial relaxation (early diastolic velocity: r = -0.26), compliance (deceleration time: r = -0.55), and filling pressure (early transmitral to early annular diastolic velocity ratio: r = 0.51; early transmitral flow to the velocity of early left ventricular flow propagation ratio: r = 0.41). In multivariate analysis, overall diastolic stage, LVEF, RV systolic dysfunction, mitral regurgitation (MR) severity, age and creatinine clearance were independent predictors of BNP levels (model fit r = 0.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma BNP levels are significantly related to newer diastolic indexes measured from TDI and CMM in SHF. Heterogeneity of BNP levels in patients with SHF reflects the severity of diastolic abnormality, RV dysfunction, and MR in addition to LVEF, age, and renal function. These findings may explain the powerful relationship of BNP to symptoms and prognosis in SHF.