Estimation of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) in Cardiac Failure Patients and its Association with Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF)

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to estimate brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in heart failure patients and its association with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. PLACE & DURATION: Department of Medicine, Cardiology and Physiology, Isra University, Hyderabad from July 2014-Dec 2014 SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A sample of 60 subjects comprising of 30 normal controls (group I) and 30 diagnosed cases of heart failure (group II) were selected through non-probability purposive sampling as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood samples were collected for the estimation of BNP. Left ventricular function was assessed by echocardiography. Data were analyzed on SPSS 21.0, Student's t-test and chi-square test were used for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Pearson's correlation was used for association of BNP and LVEF. P value <= 0.05 was taken significant. RESULT: Mean age(+/- SD) of controls and cases were 51.5 +/- 5.56 and 50.6 +/- 5.25 years respectively (p=0.91). Of 60 subjects; 46 (76.6%) were male and 14 (23.3%) were female. BNP in controls and cases was noted as 77.06 +/-, 24.02pg/ml and 17506.3 +/- 13348 pg/ml respectively. BNP was significantly increased in heart failure patients and it showed inverse correlation with ejection fraction (r=-0.76, p=0.0001), CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the BNP may be used an indicator of left ventricular function in settings where echocardiography facility is not available.