Abstract:

Objective To investigate the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)/N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, left ventricular structure and function, and explore the value of BNP/NT-proBNP in the diagnosis of heart failure in the elderly. Methods Fifty-five elder patients with heart failure were selected (NYHA Ⅱ, n=15; NYHA Ⅲ, n=25; NYHA IV, n=15) (heart failure group), and another 16 elder people with NYHA I were served as control group.The plasma mass concentrations of NT-proBNP and BNP were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and immunofluorescence method, respectively, and the structure and function of left ventricle were examined by echocardiography. Results The levels of plasma BNP and NT-proBNP increased with NYHA grades, were negatively correlated with LVEF (P<0.001), and were positively correlated with LVST, LVEDD, LAD and LVMI(P<0.05). The area under the curve of BNP in diagnosis of heat failure was 0.879 (P<0.001), and that of NT-proBNP was 0.914（P<0.001）. Conclusion Both plasma BNP and NT-proBNP can be used to evaluate the heart function of patients with heart failure, and are useful tools for diagnosis of HF in the elderly.

Key words: the elderly, heart failure, brain natriuretic peptide, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide