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Research from I. Betti et al has provided new information about heart failure
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Screening for asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction (ALVD) in subjects at risk for heart failure (HF) can affect clinical management. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of NT-pro BNP in the diagnosis of ALVD in Subjects with hypertension and diabetes front primary care," researchers in Florence, Italy report. "A total of 1012 Subjects with hypertension and/or diabetes and no symptoms or signs of HF were assessed by B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) assay and echocardiography. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 368/1012 subjects (36.4%): 327 (32.4%) with mild diastolic dysfunction and 41 (4%) with a moderate-to-severe diastolic dysfunction. Systolic dysfunction was present in 11/1012 (1.1%). NT-proBNP levels were 170 +/- 206 and 859 +/- 661 pg/mL, respectively, in diastolic and systolic dysfunction and 92 +/- 169 in normal subjects (P < .0001). Pooling moderate-to-severe diastolic with systolic dysfunction, a total of 52 subjects (5.1%) were obtained: best cutoff Value of NT-proBNP was 125 pg/mL (males <67 years: sensitivity [Sens] 87.5%, specificity [Spec] 92.7%, negative predictive value [NPV] 99.5%, positive predictive value [PPV] 33.3%; females < 67 years: Sens 100%, Spec 84.1%, NPV 100%, PPV 33.3%; males 67 years: Sens 100%, Spec 77.1%, NPV 100%. PPV 32.5%; females:67 years: Sens 100%, Spec 59.9%, NPV 100%, PPV 23%). The prevalence of ALVD in subjects at risk for HF is 5.1%," wrote I. Betti and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Because of its excellent NPV, NT-proBNP can be used by general practitioners to rule Out ALVD in hypertensive or diabetic patients. (J Cardiac Fail 2009;15:377-384)." Betti and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Cardiac Failure (The Role of N-terminal PRO-Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Echocardiography for Screening Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction in a Population at High Risk for Heart Failure. The PROBE-HF Study. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 2009;15(5):377-384). For additional information, contact I. Betti, Via Faenza 33, I-50123 Florence, Italy. Publisher contact information for the Journal of Cardiac Failure is: Churchill Livingstone Inc. Medical Publishers, Curtis Center, Independence Square West, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3399, USA. Keywords: Italy, Florence, Cardiac Failure, Cardiography, Cardiology, Diabetes, Echocardiography, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Left Ventricular Dysfunction. This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com.
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