[Plasma levels of atrial and brain natriuretic peptide and left ventricular geometry in patients with essential hypertension]

Abstract

Left ventricular hypertrophy, in particular concentric, accompanying hypertension is an independent risk factor of sudden death and other serious cardiovascular complications. It is still not clear how ANP and BNP are related to various types of left ventricular geometry and whether BNP is a better predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction than ANP. The aim of the study was estimation of plasma ANP and BNP levels in patients with hypertension in relation to the changes of left ventricular geometry. Investigations were carried out in 80 patients aged 52.5 +/- 12.6. In every patient plasma levels of ANP and BNP were estimated, blood pressure was measured and echocardiographic study was performed. Based on echocardiographic measurements every patient was classified into one of four left ventricular geometric patterns. It was found that in patients with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy plasma level of ANP and BNP was increased whereas in patients with concentric remodeling and eccentric hypertrophy only plasma level of ANP was elevated. In patients with concentric hypertrophy higher levels of ANP and BNP were found compared to patients with concentric remodeling and eccentric hypertrophy.