The relationship between long-term changes in plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels and electrocardiographic findings

Shinji Fukazawa,Rieko Takemae,Momoo Matsuda,Tooru Tsunoda,Kaoru Ichikawa,Nobuo Takeda,Koji Teruya,Takamoto Uemura,Hiroteru Okamoto,Tomoko Matsui,Kosuke Tsuchida,Tomoko Omine

doi:10.1007/s12199-008-0027-z

Shinji Fukazawa, Rieko Takemae + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-008-0027-z

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Abstract

Changes in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings in an adult Japanese population were measured over a 5-year period, and the statistical relationships between these were evaluated. This was a longitudinal analysis in which data were collected on 353 subjects (135 men and 218 women) who had undergone general health checks in 1998 and 2003. Data were examined by correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of covariance using repeated measurements. The correlation coefficient for BNP between 1998 and 2003 was 0.622 (P < 0.0001) for the men and 0.557 (P < 0.0001) for women. The changes in BNP over the same period were 13.71 +/- 26.06 (P < 0.0001) pg/ml in the men and 20.17 +/- 32.01 (P < 0.0001) pg/ml in the women. In 99 men and 145 women who had undergone ECG tests, with both normal and abnormal findings, visual inspections of changes in the ECG findings with respect to BNP changes were performed over the 5-year period. In men, both age and BNP significantly correlated with changes in ECG findings; however, in women, no significant correlation between BNP and changes in ECG findings was observed. This regional longitudinal study revealed a gender difference in the relationship between long-term changes in BNP and ECG findings, suggesting that a 10 pg/ml or more increase in BNP in men over a 5-year period may a indicate worsening of cardiac function and the need for intervention.

Highlights

From the perspective of cardiac disease prevention, the early identification of high-risk groups and prompt and appropriate treatment are important
This regional longitudinal study revealed a gender difference in the relationship between long-term changes in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and ECG findings, suggesting that a 10 pg/ ml or more increase in BNP in men over a 5-year period may a indicate worsening of cardiac function and the need for intervention
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was isolated from the porcine brain in 1988, and subsequent research has shown that BNP is primarily synthesized and secreted in cardiac ventricles [3]

Summary

Introduction

From the perspective of cardiac disease prevention, the early identification of high-risk groups and prompt and appropriate treatment are important. Following such early intervention, improved prognosis and cost–benefit ratios can be expected [1, 2]. Recent studies have revealed relationships between BNP and age, BNP and lipids, and BNP and gender as well as the usefulness of BNP in predicting the risk and severity of ischemic heart disease and arrhythmia [8,9,10,11,12]. A few studies have shown the sensitivity and specificity of BNP in predicting the risk of heart disease in comparison to electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic findings, but as these have all been one-time measurements

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