[Association of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels with heart rate variability in diabetic patients].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with diabetes.

Methods: HRV and NT-proBNP levels were assessed in 58 patients with diabetes.The time domain and frequency domain indices and the level of NT-proBNP were compared between patients with normal and abnormal HRV, and the correlation of HRV index and NT-proBNP was analyzed.

Results: The NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in patients with abnormal HRV than in those with normal HRV (320.2±88.3 vs 80.4±25.2 pg/ml, P<0.01).The level of NT-proBNP was negatively correlated with SDNN (r=-0.55, P<0.05), triangle index (r=-0.52, P<0.05), LF (r=-0.62, P<0.01), and VLF (r=-0.56, P<0.05).

Conclusion: NT-proBNP level is correlated with HRV, and an increased NT-proBNP indicates cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients.