OBJECTIVETo detect the changes in serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in patients with cardiovascular diseases and explore its clinical significance.

METHODSSerum NT-proBNP concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA) in 460 patients with cardiovascular diseases and in 50 normal controls, and echocardiographic examination was performed to determine the left ventricular ejection function (LVEF). Analysis of NT-proBNP was performed for its correlation to New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classifications LVEF, and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.

RESULTSThe serum LgNT-proBNP concentrations was 3.74 in patients with cardiovascular diseases, significantly higher than that of normal controls (1.42, P<0.001). NT-proBNP concentrations also varied significantly among patients with different cardiovascular diseases as shown by one-way ANOVA analysis (F=17.761, P<0.001). The NT-proBNP levels increased with the severity of heart failure according to NYHA functional classifications (P<0.001), and varied significantly in patients suffering different cardiovascular diseases with the same NYHA functional class. Multivariable regression analysis indicated there were significant correlations of NT-proBNP levels with the patients' age (r=0.152, P<0.001), NYHA functional classifications (r=0.725, P<0.001), LVEF (r=-0.634, P<0.001), and clinica outcomes (r=-0.581, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified NT-proBNP level as a strong indicator for cardiovascular events (HR=2.763, P<0.01) with close correlation to the treatment results.

CONCLUSIONSSerum NT-proBNP level varies significantly with the severity of heart failure and can be indicative of the patients' cardiac function in close correlation to the clinical prognosis, but its value for diagnostic stratification of cardiovascular diseases awaits further investigation.