Abstract
Background: N‐terminal proBNP (NT‐proBNP) is widely used as a diagnostic biomarker and for the risk stratification of patients with heart failure (HF). Its role in the evaluation of patients with essential hypertension (EHT) is less clear. We examined the relationship between NT‐proBNP concentrations and various clinical characteristics in hypertensive patients without HF. Methods: This study included 186 consecutive patients with EHT and no history of HF, ischemic heart disease, or atrial fibrillation. Single and multiple variable regression analyses were performed in search of clinical correlates of NT‐proBNP concentrations. Results: In patients with EHT, median serum concentration of NT‐proBNP was 73 pg/ml, and interquartile range (IQR) was 40–128 pg/ml. NT‐proBNP was significantly higher (P<0.001) in women (87 pg/ml; IQR 55–137 pg/ml) than in men (52 pg/ml; IQR 24–115 pg/ml). Age (r=0.371, P<0.001), precordial QRS voltage (r=0.223, P<0.001), hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration, (r=−0.208, P=0.023) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.139, P=0.044) were correlated with log‐transformed NT‐proBNP by multiple variable analysis. In men, age (r=0.453, P<0.001) and QRS voltage (r=0.283, P=0.004), and in women age (r=0.299, P=0.006), QRS voltage (r=0.212, P=0.019), Hgb (r=−0.182, P=0.049), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.272, P=0.009) were correlated with serum concentrations of NT‐proBNP. Conclusions: Age, gender, Hgb, left ventricular hypertrophy and renal function were correlated with NT‐proBNP in patients with EHT. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:12–16, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.