Objective: To assess plasma N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration in patients with nonobstructive cardiomyopathy (HCM) and try to find an association with morphological and functional echocardiographic parameters. Design of the study: bservational study.
Settings: 1st Department of Internal Medicine - Cardioangiology, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. Methods: 21 patients with HCM was enrolled into the study.
Echo and catheterization were performed before enrolment into the study. We analysed plasma NT-proBNP concentrations and their association with morphological and functional parameters.Results: Compared to control group, plasma NT-proBNP was significantly increased (377.7 +- 317.5 ng/L vs. 91.3 +- 76.6 ng/L, p = 0.005).
We observed significant association of NT-proBNP and left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.48, p = 0.03), left ventricular fractional shortening (r = -0.44, p = 0.05) and left ventricle mass index (r = 0.52, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is associated with increased plasma NT-proBNP concentration.
The increase of NT-proBNP is determined by left ventricle mass and systolic function. We assume that assessment of these parameters could be useful in diagnosis and risk stratification in these patients.