A. Diagnostic and prognostic value of detection of the N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Detction of chronic heart failure at the stage of reversible changes can prevent the development of cardiovascular complications, reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to explore the level of N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and to evaluate the possibility of using this marker in diagnostics of chronic heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study included 60 patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant chronic heart failure. All patients underwent echocardiography, blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin, creatinine, and NT-proBNP measurement. All patients with diabetes mellitus were shown to have elevated NT-proBNP levels in comparison with the control group. We established negative correlation of this parameter with the left ventricular ejection fraction and inverse correlation between NT-proBNP and blood glucose. The study confirmed the value of NT-proBNP measurement for diagnostics of CHF but demonstrated low specificity of this test for the assessment of severity (functional class) of CHF in patients with type 2 diabetes.