N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide and the association with left ventricular diastolic function in a population at high risk of incident heart failure: results of the SCReening Evaluationof the Evolution of New-Heart Failure Study (SCREEN-HF)

Impaired diastolic function is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but antecedents and predictors of progression to heart failure (HF) are not well understood. We examined associations between NT-proBNP, HF risk factors, and diastolic function in a population at high risk for incident HF. Methods and results A total of 3550 subjects at high risk for incident HF (=60 years plus =1 HF risk factor), but without pre-existing HF or LV dysfunction were recruited. Participants at highest risk (n ? 664) (NT-proBNP in the highest quintile .254 pg/mL) underwent echocardiography. Moderate or severe diastolic dysfunction was observed in 25 [95 confidence interval (CI) 21?29 of participants. Age (P ? 0.001), male gender (P ? 0.03), diabetes (P ? 0.03), and NT-proBNP (P ? 0.002) were associated with severity of diastolic dysfunction after adjustment for HF risk factors and LVEF. In regression analysis, log-transformed NT-proBNP was also associated with LV mass index (P ? 0.05), left atrial size (P , 0.0001), and Doppler ratio of the mitral valve E/e? (P ? 0.001). Multiple HF risk factors were present in the majority of participants (.70 ), but no association was observed between diastolic dysfunction and the number of risk factors reported (P ? 0.3). Conclusion Diastolic dysfunction was observed in one in four of these high risk subjects (= 60 years, HF risk factor, NT-proBNP .254 pg/mL). NT-proBNP, age and diabetes were strongly associated with severity of diastolic dysfunction, whereas other HF risk factors and LVEF were not. More targeted surveillance using a combination of risk factors and biomarkers may improve identification of those at great risk of incident HF