Correlation between levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and degrees of heart failure.

Background: The N-terminal fragment of pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro BNP) is a neuro-hormone synthesized in the cardiac ventricles in response to increased wall tension. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the NT-pro BNP levels and the New York Heart Association function class (NYHA Fc) of dyspnea and echocardiographic findings for the patients who visited our cardiology departments.

Methods: From October, 2002 to April, 2003, serum NT-pro BNP levels were measured in 348 patients who visited the Samsung Medical Center and the Jong Koo Lee Heart Clinic.

Frequency of arrhythmic events during head-up tilt testing in patients with suspected neurocardiogenic syncope or presyncope.

Head-up tilt testing (HUT) is a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating suspected neurocardiogenic syncope. Although arrhythmic events during HUT have been occasionally reported, their incidence in a large number of patients is unknown. We aimed to assess the incidence and clinical significance of arrhythmic events in patients with suspected neurocardiogenic syncope who underwent HUT with isoproterenol provocation.