Abstract
Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has diagnostic and prognostic value in heart failure. Cardiac dysfunction varies from systolic or diastolic dysfunction alone to the combination of both. In the present study, Doppler echocardiographic parameters, including the Doppler echocardiography-derived index (TEI index), were compared with plasma BNP levels in 74 patients with various heart diseases. Blood sampling was performed before an echocardiographic examination was conducted. The TEI index was defined as the summation of isovolumic contraction and relaxation time divided by ejection time. In patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <50%), the TEI index and BNP were increased significantly compared with patients with normal LV systolic function (p<0.05). Patients with a TEI index ≥0.45 showed significantly increased BNP levels compared with patients with a TEI index <0.45, irrespective of LV systolic function (241.4 ±451.2 vs 65.9±81.8 pg/ml; p<0.05). The TEI index was significantly higher in patients with a BNP ≥73 pg/ml than in patients with BNP <73 pg/ml (0.57±0.24 vs 0.46±0.17; p<0.05). Other echocardiographic parameters did not correlate significantly with levels of plasma BNP. Of the echocardiographic parameters, a simple Doppler index (TEI index) that combines systolic and diastolic function can detect LV dysfunction in patients with high levels of plasma BNP in various heart diseases. (Jpn Circ J 2001; 65: 637 - 642)
