Nt-probnp as a diagnostic marker in ccf

Background: Heart Failure prevalence is increasing with more than 20 million affected worldwide. Making the correct diagnosis is challenging and confirmatory in only 40-50% of cases. Heart being an endocrine organ produces and releases hormones. NT-pro BNP thought to be produced in response to mechanical stretching, increase in intra vascular volume & CCF. Several studies have shown that plasma natriuretic peptide improves diagnostic accuracy and this lead these markers being recommended in international guidelines. Objective: To measure NT pro BNP levels in suspected cases of CCF and to evaluate NT pro BNP as a diagnostic marker. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 60 patients- 30 cases and 30 controls between 40-70 years attending Out and In-patients Clinics in KIMS, Bangalore. 30 were cases who had sudden onset of breathlessness suspected to be due to CCF on the basis of symptoms and signs. 30 were controls without CCF and did not meet the exclusion criteria. All patients underwent relavant blood investigations. NT pro BNP detected by ELFA technique and it was correlated with ECHO findings. Results: In our study group of total 60 patients 30 were cases with dyspnoea who were suspected to have CCF, 30 were controls without CCF. Among cases 24 had CCF and elevated NT pro BNP levels. Other 6 did not have CCF and Nt pro BNP was within normal limits. Among 30 controls 29 had NT pro BNP normal for there age. NT pro BNP was significantly elevated in cases compared to controls. There was a strong correlation between NT pro BNP and CCF with a P value of <0.001. NT-Pro BNP levels Increased with decreasing EF. There was a strong correlation between EF and NT- Pro BNP levels with a P value of <0.001. Conclusion: NT pro BNP can be used as diagnostic marker in suspected cases of CCF and has inverse correlation with Ejection Fraction.