Plasma BNP level is a good indicator of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Plasma BNP level is reported to reflect left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in patients with heart failure. However, it is still unknown whether plasma BNP level reflects LV diastolic function in patients undergoing hemodialys. Methods: We measured plasma ANP and BNP levels and simultaneously assessed LV systolic and diastolic function by electrocardiographic-gated 99mTc-MIBI myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) program (QGS program) before and after hemodialysis in 31 patients undergoing hemodialysis. The relationship among plasma ANP and BNP levels, LV systolic and diastolic function was obtained. Results: The decrease rate in body weight was negatively correlated with plasma ANP level but not with plasma BNP. LV ejection fraction was positively correlated with plasma BNP level both before and after hemodialysis. Peak filling rate (PFR) was positively correlated with plasma BNP level both before and after hemodialysis. When all patients were divided into patients with well LV systolic function (well group) and poor LV function (poor group), plasma BNP level after hemodialysis was negatively correlated with LV ejection fraction in the poor group but not in the well group. Plasma BNP level was negatively correlated with PFR in both the well and poor groups. Conclusion: It is suggested that plasma BNP level is a good indicator of LV diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.