Plasma BNP levels are determined by the severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction but not the types of underlying heart disease.

Objectives: The primary aim of the study was to investigate whether there is a difference in plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels among the left ventricular systolic dysfunction caused by different types of heart disease.

Methods And Results: Plasma BNP was measured in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction as a result of mitral valve regurgitation (n=26), hypertension (n=36), coronary heart disease (n=37) and dilated cardiomyopathy (n=32). The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and ejection fraction were assessed with echocardiography.

Bedside tests of B-type natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

Aims: To investigate the value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in diagnosing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension.

Methods: The left ventricular diastolic function and plasma BNP levels were assessed prospectively in 135 hypertensive patients.

Results: The plasma BNP in patients with (n=61) and without (n=74) diastolic dysfunction was 122+/-105 and 18+/-16 pg/ml, respectively (p<0.