Abstract
Background Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are useful marker to guide medical treatment in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We tested the hypothesis that the plasma BNP concentration would be a useful marker of β-blocker therapy for CHF. Methods and Results Eighty-four patients with New York Heart Association class II-IV CHF and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% were treated with β-blockers, including metoprolol and carvedilol, for at least 16 weeks. End-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions decreased, and radionuclide LVEF increased 4 weeks after introduction of β-blockers (early phase). LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions both decreased, and LVEF increased 16 to 48 weeks after the therapy (late phase). However, the BNP concentration did not change during the observation period. Overall LV function improved in all 4 subgroups divided according to the baseline BNP levels. Conclusions Plasma BNP concentration is not a sensitive marker of successful β-blocker therapy for CHF.
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