The role of NT-proBNP in the diagnostics of isolated diastolic dysfunction: correlation with echocardiographic and invasive measurements

Aims Diastolic heart failure is a frequent entity but difficult to diagnose. N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was therefore investigated as a possible non-invasive parameter to diagnose isolated diastolic dysfunction. Methods and results Sixty-eight symptomatic patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (≥50%) and 50 patients with regular left ventricular (LV) function were examined by conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and left and right heart catheterization. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were determined simultaneously. Median NT-proBNP plasma levels were elevated [189.54 pg/mL (86.16–308.27) vs. 51.89 pg/mL (29.94–69.71); P