Significance of NT-pro-BNP in evaluation of left ventricular function in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Introduction. Left ventricle function in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is crucial in prognosis of the illness. Increased levels of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) were found in 50-90% of patients with ACS. Goal. The goal of this research was to establish a correlation between the level of NT-pro-BNP and echocardiographic parameters of systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle in patients with ACS. Methods and results. The experiment included 62 patients with ACS. First, the serum level of NT-pro-BNP and systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle were measured. According to their NT-pro-BNP levels, patients were divided into two groups: group A (18 patients with levels of NT-pro- BNP from 0 to 14.75 pmol/L) and group B (44 patients with levels of NT-pro-BNP higher than 14.75 pmol/L). Reduced systolic function of the left ventricle (SFLV) was found in 90.09% of patients in group B and 5.6% of patients in group A. Diastolic function of the left ventricle (DFLV) was diminished in 83.3% of patients in group A and 100% of patients in group B. A strong correlation was found between levels of NT-pro-BNP in group B and all parameters of systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle: ejection fraction (EF) r=-0.459, p<0.01; fraction shortening (FS) r=-0.367, p<0.05; relation of maximal early (PE) and late (PA) diastolic speed of loading (PE/PA) r=-0.469, p<0.01; deceleration time of early diastolic flow (DT) r=0.582, p<0.01; and isovolumetric relaxation time of the left ventricle (IVRT) r=0.545, p<0.01. In group A, a correlation was found only between levels of NT-pro-BNP and some parameters of diastolic function (DT r=0.676, p<0.01 and for IVRT r=0.586, p<0.05). Conclusion. In patients with ACS, there is a high correlation between increased levels of NT-pro-BNP and systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle. NT-pro-BNP is very specific sensitive to changes in systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle.