AIMS We examined strategies to improve the positive predictive value of natriuretic peptides in screening for undiagnosed left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in the community. METHODS AND RESULTS The value of B-type(BNP), N-terminal proB-type (N-BNP) and N-terminal proAtrial(N-ANP) natriuretic peptides was prospectively assessed in 1360 subjects (45-80 years) together with echocardio...

BACKGROUND The incremental prognostic value of high-sensitive troponin T (hs-cTnT) in heart failure (HF) beyond that of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and amino-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide is debated. We examined the prognostic value of hs-cTnT in a subgroup of patients from the Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in HF (CORONA) study. METHODS AND RESULTS Hs-cTnT as a r...

In post-transplant conditions, sulfur may be protective by intermediate conversion to hydrogen sulfide and thiosulfate. However, sulfate, the end product of sulfur-containing amino acids (SAAs), contributes to metabolic acid load and may adversely influence acid-base homeostasis. We investigated the association of urinary sulfur metabolites with cardiometabolic parameters in renal transplant re...

Natriuretic peptides have emerged as important candidates for development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents in cardiovascular disease. The family contains of three major peptides-ANP, BNP, CNP-that participate in cardiovascular and cardiorenal homeostasis. Each of these natriuretic peptides binds differentially to specific receptors that signal through different mechanisms. They are cl...

BACKGROUND Soluble ST2 (sST2), a biomarker related to inflammation, is associated with outcomes of patients with heart failure. In-depth analyses of the relationship among sST2, changes in sST2, and patient outcomes are reported. METHODS AND RESULTS sST2 was measured at baseline (n=1650), 4 months (n=1345), and 12 months (n=1094) in Valsartan Heart Failure Trial. Baseline sST2 averaged 28.7±1...

BACKGROUND Although contributors to remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) have been well studied in general population cohorts, few data are available describing factors influencing changes in left atrial (LA) structure. METHODS AND RESULTS Maximum LA volume was determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging among 748 participants in the Dallas Heart Study at 2 visits a mean of 8 years apar...

BACKGROUND Underlying mechanisms in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction remain unknown. We investigated cardiovascular plasma biomarkers in HF with preserved ejection fraction and their correlation to diastolic dysfunction, functional class, pathophysiological processes, and prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS In 86 stable patients with HF and EF ≥45% in the Karolinska Rennes (KaRe...

In the present study, we assessed the use of urinary natriuretic peptides [N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (N-ANP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)] in the diagnosis of heart failure. Thirty-four consecutive hospitalized heart failure patients (median age, 75.5 years; 14 female) were compared with 82 age- and gender-matched echoc...

439–44. 14. Sharma JC, Ananda K, Ross I, Hill R, Vassallo M. N-terminal proBrain natriuretic peptide levels predict short-term poststroke survival. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2006; 15: 121–7. 15. Etgen T, Baum H, Sander K, Sander D. Cardiac troponins and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in acute ischemic stroke do not relate to clinical prognosis. Stroke 2005; 36: 270–5. 16. Quinn TJ, Daw...