Plasma natriuretic peptide type B (BNP) concentration increases in aortic stenosis (AS) but relation to severity of left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) is unknown. We analyze the relation between BNP and the LVH (left ventricle mass index (LVMI)), left ventricle thickness (LVTh) in pts with significant aortic stenosis (AS).
Material and methods: 58 pts with AS (32 male), aged 62 +/- 12, underwent echocardiographic study before aortic valve replacement. BNP level was measured using SHIONORIA BNP test (immunoradiometric method). Results were expressed as a mean (+/- standard deviation). Control group consisted of 26 healthy people. Correlation between BNP level and age, gender, EF, MGA and LVH were also tested.
Results: In pts with AS BNP level ranged from 11 to 2010 pg/ml. Mean BNP level was similar in men and women (mean level in whole group 344 +/- 480 pg/ml) and it was higher than in control group (6,1 +/- 3,9 pg/ml). BNP level was related with LVMI (r = 0,42; p<0,001), LVDD (r=0,61; p<0,0001), EF (r = -0,66; p<0,0001 - higher BNP level in lower EF) but not with LVTh (r = -0,08; p = ns), age (r = 0,06; p = ns) and MGA (r = -0,19; p = ns). BNP in 11 pts in eccentric type of hypertrophy was significantly higher (721 +/- 773 pg/ml) then in 47 cases with concentric type of remodeling (256 +/- 337; p = 0,04).
Conclusions: 1. BNP level increased in relation to left ventricle mass index (increase in left ventricle diastolic diameter) but not to wall thickness 2. BNP measurement could potentially be used to monitor left ventricle remodeling in aortic stenosis.