Myeloperoxidase and C-reactive protein augment the specificity of B-type natriuretic peptide in community screening for systolic heart failure.

Background: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) is elevated in left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and may be cost-effective for screening in the community but is relatively nonspecific. We sought to improve specificity using inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), which have been implicated in cardiovascular disease.

Methods: A total of 1360 subjects (45-80 years) were invited in this prospective screening study for undiagnosed LVSD (defined as wall motion score >1.

Community screening for left ventricular systolic dysfunction using plasma and urinary natriuretic peptides.

Objectives: We sought to compare urinary and plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) in left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) diagnosis.

Background: Plasma N-BNP is elevated in LVSD. Renal tubule cells produce BNP.

Plasma urocortin in human systolic heart failure.

Urocortin (UCN), a member of the corticotrophin-releasing factor family, is expressed in heart, brain and gut. UCN has potent cardiostimulatory, cardioprotective, vasodilator and diuretic/natriuretic effects, and cardiac UCN expression is increased in heart failure (HF). In the present study, we investigated plasma levels of UCN in 119 patients with HF and 212 age- and gender-matched controls to clarify its relationship with gender and disease severity.