Neurohormonal activation and diagnostic value of cardiac peptides in patients with suspected mild heart failure.

Background: Data describing activation of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) system relative to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are sparse in the early phase of heart failure (HF).

Aims: To compare activation of BNP system relative to RAAS hyperactivity and to assess diagnostic accuracy of cardiac peptides to detect any left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in patients referred from primary care with suspected HF before institution of medical therapy.

Methods: Of 166 referred patients 150 were consecutively included (14 were excluded and two refused consent).