Ventricular hypertrophy increases NT-proBNP in subjects with and without hypertension

Background: It has been published that hypertension (HT) must be taken into account when using NT-proBNP, but left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy without HT could be a cause of NT-proBNP elevation. In a population study we compared NT-proBNP in subjects with hypertrophy, with and without diagnosis of HT. Methods: We studied 215 subjects from a random sample of 432 people who had declared to suffer from dyspnea. These 432 subjects were referred to their hospital where blood samples were taken, an echo-Doppler study was performed and a specific questionnaire was completed. We got a positive answer from 215, and 52 (24%) have LV hypertrophy. Results: When we compared NT-proBNP in non-hypertrophic population, 148±286 pg/ml, with NT-proBNP in LV hypertrophic population, 202±209 pg/ml, we found P<0.001. In the hypertrophic group, when we compared NT-proBNP (199±201 pg/ml) in normotensive subjects (LV mass index 170±70 g/m2, Vp 50±18 cm/s, LVEF 62±8) with NT-proBNP (205±220 pg/ml) in subjects with diagnosis of HT (LV mass index 169±37 g/m2, Vp 55±20 cm/s, LVEF 64±10), we found NS. Conclusions: This population study shows that NT-proBNP is elevated in patients with LV hypertrophy with or without HT. In LV hypertrophy the presence of HT does not influence the peptide levels significantly.