Left ventricular cavity area reflects N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels in heart failure *

Aims: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is useful in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF). LV two-dimensional cavity area from end- diastole (LVEDA) and end-systole (LVESA), and LV fractional area change (LVFAC) reflect changes in LV morphology and function without using geometric assump- tions. In a multicenter study, we correlated LVEDA, LVESA and LVFAC with NT-proBNP, comparing patients with dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Methods and results: We studied 106 HF patients. In the dilated group, NT-proBNP correlated with LVEDAI (rZ 0.6), LVESAI (rZ 0.7) and LVFAC (r Z 0.6), all significant at p ! 0.001. In patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy we found LVESAI (rZ 0.3, p ! 0.05) and LVFAC (rZ 0.4, p !0.01). After adjustment for age and BMI, LVFAC and LVESAI were associated in a multiple linear regression analysis with peptide levels (adjusted r 2 Z 0.5, p! 0.001).