Prognostic role of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in asymptomatic hypertensive and diabetic patients in primary care: impact of age and gender

Associations between diet quality and NT-proBNP in U.S. adults, NHANES 1999-2004

Objective

N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a marker of cardiac wall stress and is a predictor of cardiovascular disease. Higher diet quality is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The association between diet quality and subclinical cardiovascular disease assessed by NT-proBNP is uncharacterized. We investigated the associations between diet quality, using Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), and NT-proBNP from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004.

Methods

We included 9,782 adults from NHANES 1999-2004 without self-reported cardiovascular disease. The HEI-2015 ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better diet quality. The HEI-2015 was categorized into sex-specific quintiles. Regression models were used to quantify associations between the overall HEI-2015 score and its 13 components with log-transformed NT-proBNP. The beta coefficients were converted to percent differences.

Results

Among 9,782 participants, mean age was 45 years, 48% were men, and 72% were non-Hispanic White adults. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and medical history, those in the highest vs. lowest HEI-2015 quintile had an 8.5% (95% CI: -14.6% to -2.0%) lower NT-proBNP level. There was a dose-response association between HEI-2015 and NT-proBNP (P value for trend = 0.01). Each 1-unit higher in sodium and added sugars score indicating lower intake was associated with lower NT-proBNP by 7.7% (95% CI: -12.8% to -2.2%) and 6.5% (95% CI: -12.0% to -0.7%), respectively.

Conclusion

Higher diet quality, especially lower intakes of sodium and added sugars, was associated with lower serum levels of NT-proBNP.

The influence of age and sex on the prognostic importance of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, selected circulating biomarkers and other markers of subclinical cardiovascular damage

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is an increasing need for improved risk stratification to better individualize cardiovascular preventive measures. Although age and sex are strong and easily obtained cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), their influence on the prognostic importance of other CVRF, circulating biomarkers and other markers of subclinical cardiovascular damage has not previously been systematically and critically appraised. Therefore, we have revisited the European MORGAM and the Danish MONI10 cohorts.

RECENT FINDINGS

Theoretically, the relative risk of many CVRF is expected to be lower in older healthy individuals due to a combination of selection bias by disease, higher absolute risk primarily due to older age, and the fact that the CVRF and markers may primarily influence or reflect early parts of the cardiovascular disease process. This influence of age may vary between sexes, as the cardiovascular disease process is delayed and possibly different in women compared with men.

SUMMARY

Adjusted for the remaining Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) CVRF, higher SBP, serum cholesterol, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, left ventricular mass index and atherosclerotic plaques were more closely associated with outcomes in individuals younger than 52 years with some sex-specific differences, whereas higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and urine albumin/creatine ratio were more closely associated with outcomes in subjects aged 61 or 71 years.

N-Terminal Prohormone Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Prognostic Biomarker for the Risk of Complications in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at summarizing the existing clinical evidence to evaluate the prognostic performance of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in predicting cardiovascular events, cardiovascular-related mortality, and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Searches were performed in Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases before August 1, 2021. The data were recorded as adjusted hazard ratio (HR).

Results

An increase in NT-proBNP increases the risk of cardiovascular events (HR = 1.63), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.86) and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.54). Seemingly, the best cutoffs for predicting cardiovascular events (HR = 2.30) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 3.77) are levels greater than 100 pg/mL. The best cutoff of NT-proBNP in predicting all-cause mortality is levels greater than 225 pg/mL (HR = 4.72).

Conclusion

A moderate level of evidence demonstrated that NT-proBNP serum levels can predict future cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. Thus, it can be used as risk stratification for type 2 diabetes.

Sex and Race Differences in N-Terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide Concentration and Absolute Risk of Heart Failure in the Community

Importance

Sex- and race-based differences in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations are poorly understood. Clinical decisions are often informed by absolute-as opposed to relative-risk, but absolute risk of incident heart failure (HF) associated with NT-proBNP concentration across these important demographic categories is unclear.

Objective

To determine whether physiologic determinants of NT-proBNP concentrations account for sex and race differences, and to more uniformly predict HF risk using NT-proBNP in these demographic subgroups.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In the longitudinal Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities epidemiologic prospective community-based cohort study, the association of NT-proBNP concentration with relative and absolute risk of HF by sex- and race-based categories was assessed at study visit 2 (1990-1992) and study visit 5 (2011-2013) using Cox and Poisson regression. These data were analyzed from June 2018 to October 2021. The contribution of clinical, anthropometric, echocardiographic, and laboratory parameters to sex- and race-based differences in NT-proBNP concentration was assessed at visit 5 using linear regression. Participants included were free of HF in midlife (visit 2; a total of 12 750 participants) and late life (visit 5; a total of 5191 participants).

Exposures

NT-proBNP concentration.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incident HF or death.

Results

Among the 5191 HF-free participants at visit 5, the mean (SD) age was 76.0 (5.2) years, 2104 (41%) were male, 1043 (20%) were Black, and the median (IQR) NT-proBNP concentration was 124 (64-239) pg/. In both midlife and late life, NT-proBNP concentration was lowest in Black men (median [IQR] concentration: visit 2, 30 [14-67] pg/mL; visit 5, 74 [34-153] pg/mL) and highest in White women (median [IQR] concentration: visit 2, 70 [42-111] pg/mL; visit, 5, 154 [82-268] pg/mL). Sex and race differences in NT-proBNP concentration persisted after accounting for age, income, education, area deprivation index, cardiovascular diseases, left ventricular structure (LV), LV function, LV wall stress, weight and fat mass, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Substantial differences in the absolute risk of incident HF or death existed across the sex- and race-based categories at any NT-proBNP concentration (eg, 7-fold [rate ratio, 6.7; 95% CI, 4.6-9.9] and 3-fold [rate ratio, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.7-4.1] difference at visit 2 and visit 5, respectively, at guideline-recommended thresholds) with higher risk consistently observed among Black men and lower risk in White women. Results were replicated in a cohort of participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, sex- and race-based differences in NT-proBNP persisted after accounting for known physiologic determinants. Absolute risk associated with a given value of NT-proBNP varied substantially by sex and race. Consideration of NT-proBNP values in the context of sex and race allows for more uniform prediction of absolute risk across important demographic subgroups.

Integration of imaging and circulating biomarkers in heart failure: a consensus document by the Biomarkers and Imaging Study Groups of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology

Circulating biomarkers and imaging techniques provide independent and complementary information to guide management of heart failure (HF). This consensus document by the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) presents current evidence-based indications relevant to integration of imaging techniques and biomarkers in HF. The document first focuses on application of circulating biomarkers together with imaging findings, in the broad domains of screening, diagnosis, risk stratification, guidance of treatment and monitoring, and then discusses specific challenging settings. In each section we crystallize clinically relevant recommendations and identify directions for future research. The target readership of this document includes cardiologists, internal medicine specialists and other clinicians dealing with HF patients.

N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Longitudinal Risk of Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a common condition that increases risk for future cardiovascular disease. N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is higher in individuals with hypertension, but studies of its association with hypertension risk have been mixed.

METHODS

The REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study enrolled 30,239 U.S. Black or White adults aged ≥45 years from 2003 to 2007. A subcohort included 4,400 participants who completed a second assessment in 2013-2016. NT-proBNP was measured by immunoassay in 1,323 participants without baseline hypertension, defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 or self-reported antihypertensive prescriptions. Two robust Poisson regression models assessed hypertension risk, yielding incidence rate ratios (IRRs): Model 1 included behavioral and demographic covariates and Model 2 added risk factors. A sensitivity analysis using a less conservative definition of hypertension (blood pressure ≥130/80 or self-reported antihypertensive prescriptions) was conducted.

RESULTS

Four hundred and sixty-six participants developed hypertension after mean follow-up of 9.4 years. NT-proBNP was not associated with hypertension (Model 2 IRR per SD log NT-proBNP 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.92-1.12), with no differences by sex, body mass index, age, or race. Similar findings were seen in lower-threshold sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

NT-proBNP was not associated with incident hypertension in REGARDS; this did not differ by race or sex.

Performance of the recommended ESC/EASD cardiovascular risk stratification model in comparison to SCORE and NT-proBNP as a single biomarker for risk prediction in type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Recently, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Association for the Society of Diabetes (EASD) introduced a new cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification model to aid further treatment decisions in individuals with diabetes. Our study aimed to investigate the prognostic performance of the ESC/EASD risk model in comparison to the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk model and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in an unselected cohort of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 1690 T2DM patients with a 10-year follow up for fatal CVD and all-cause death and a 5-year follow up for CVD and all-cause hospitalizations were analyzed. According to ESC/EASD risk criteria 25 (1.5%) patients were classified as moderate, 252 (14.9%) high, 1125 (66.6%) very high risk and 288 (17.0%) were not classifiable. Both NT-proBNP and SCORE risk model were associated with 10-year CVD and all-cause death and 5-year CVD and all-cause hospitalizations while the ESC/EASD model was only associated with 10-year all-cause death and 5-year all-cause hospitalizations. NT-proBNP and SCORE showed significantly higher C-indices than the ESC/EASD risk model for CVD death [0.80 vs. 0.53, p < 0.001; 0.64 vs. 0.53, p = 0.001] and all-cause death [0.73, 0.66 vs. 0.52, p < 0.001 for both]. The performance of SCORE improved in a subgroup without CVD aged 40-64 years compared to the unselected cohort, while NT-proBNP performance was robust across all groups.

CONCLUSION

The new introduced ESC/EASD risk stratification model performed limited compared to SCORE and single NT-proBNP assessment for predicting 10-year CVD and all-cause fatal events in individuals with T2DM.

Evidence on clinical relevance of cardiovascular risk evaluation in the general population using cardio-specific biomarkers

In recent years, the formulation of some immunoassays with high-sensitivity analytical performance allowed the accurate measurement of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and T (cTnT) levels in reference subjects. Several studies have demonstrated the association between the risk of major cardiovascular events and cardiac troponin concentrations even for biomarker values within the reference intervals. High-sensitivity cTnI and cTnT methods (hs-cTn) enable to monitor myocardial renewal and remodelling, and to promptly identify patients at highest risk ofheart failure. An early and effective treatment of individuals at higher cardiovascular risk may revert the initial myocardial remodelling and slow down heart failure progression. Specific clinical trials should be carried out to demonstrate the efficacy and efficiency of the general population screening by means of cost-benefit analysis, in order to better identify individuals at higher risk for heart failure (HF) progression with hs-cTn methods.

The Biomarkers for Acute Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure

The use of a large number of cardiovascular biomarkers, meant to complement the use of the electrocardiogram, echocardiography cardiac imaging, and clinical symptom assessment, has become a routine in clinical diagnosis, differential diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognosis and guides the management of patients with suspected cardiovascular diseases. There is a broad consensus that cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptides are the preferred biomarkers in clinical practice for the diagnosis of the acute coronary syndrome and heart failure, respectively, while the roles and possible clinical applications of several other potential biomarkers are still under study. This review mainly focuses on the recent studies of the roles and clinical applications of troponin and natriuretic peptides, which seem to be the best-validated markers in distinguishing and predicting the future cardiac events of patients with suspected cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the review briefly discusses some of the large number of potential markers that may play a more prominent role in the future.

Clinical Value of Circulating Microribonucleic Acids miR-1 and miR-21 in Evaluating the Diagnosis of Acute Heart Failure in Asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetic Patients

To investigate whether the circulating miR-1 (microRNA-1) and miR-21 expression might be used in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) and silent coronary artery disease (SCAD) in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and to explore the relationship of these miRs with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and galectin-3. One hundred thirty-five consecutive patients with T2DM and 45 matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. This study consisted of the following four groups: control group (mean age: 60.23 ± 6.27 years, female/male (F/M): 23/22); diabetic group (DM) (mean age: 61.50 ± 5.08, F/M: 23/22); DM + SCAD group (mean age: 61.61 ± 6.02, F/M: 20/25); and DM + acute HF group (mean age: 62.07 ± 5.26 years, F/M: 20/25). miR-1 was downregulated in the DM, CAD + DM and HF + DM groups by 0.54, 0.54, and 0.12 fold as compared with controls, respectively. The miR-1 levels were significantly lower in HF + DM than DM with 0.22 fold changes (p < 0.001); and in patients with CAD + DM group with 0.22 fold changes (p < 0.001). Similarly, miR-21 was overexpressed in patients with DM, CAD + DM, and HF + DM with 1.30, 1.79 and 2.21 fold changes as compared with controls, respectively. An interesting finding is that the miR-21 expression was significantly higher in the HF + DM group as compared with the CAD + DM group; miR-1 was negatively correlated with NT-proBNP (r = −0.891, p < 0.001) and galectin-3 (r = −0.886, p < 0.001) in the HF + DM group; and miR-21 showed a strongly positive correlation with (r = 0.734, p < 0.001) and galectin-3 (r = 0.764. p < 0.001) in the HF + DM group. These results suggest that the circulating decreased miR-1 and increased miR-21 expression are associated with NT-proBNP and galectin-3 levels in acute HF + DM. Especially the miR-21 expression might be useful in predicting the onset of acute HF in asymptomatic T2DM patients. The miR-21 expression is more valuable than the miR-1 expression in predicting cardiovascular events of acute HF and the combined analysis of miR-21 expression, galectin-3, and NT-proBNP can increase the predictive value of miR-21 expression.

Sex Differences in the Prognostic Power of Brain Natriuretic Peptide and N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide for Cardiovascular Events - The Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure Study

BACKGROUND

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) are prognostic biomarkers. Although these 2 peptides differ with regard to biological characteristics, there are few reports on the differences between BNP and NT-proBNP with regard to cardiovascular events or according to sex.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2012, this study analyzed 3,610 of 4,310 Japanese outpatients (mean age, 65 years; men, n=1,664; women, n=1,947) with a history of at least one cardiovascular event who were recruited to the Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure Study. During an average 4-year follow-up, there were 129 cardiovascular events. Both median BNP (21.1 pg/mL; IQR, 10.9-40.6 pg/mL vs. 16.2 pg/mL, IQR, 7.2-36.2 pg/mL, P<0.001) and median NT-proBNP (54.7 pg/mL; IQR, 30.2-102.6 pg/mL vs. 44.9 pg/mL, IQR, 20.7-92.6 pg/mL, P<0.001) were significantly higher in women than in men. A 1-SD increment in log-transformed BNP (hazard ratio [HR], 2.18; 95% CI: 1.53-3.10) and NT-proBNP (HR, 2.39; 95% CI: 1.73-3.31) was associated with a significant increase in cardiovascular events in women; in men, only NT-proBNP showed this association. There was an interaction between log-transformed BNP (P=0.007) or NT-proBNP (P=0.001) and cardiovascular events according to sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Both BNP and NT-proBNP predicted cardiovascular outcomes in a large Japanese clinical population. BNP and NT-proBNP were significantly stronger predictors in women than in men.

Cardiovascular biomarkers in clinical studies of type 2 diabetes

When planning cardiovascular (CV) studies in type 2 diabetes (T2D), selection of CV biomarkers is a complex issue. Because the pathophysiology of CV disease (CVD) in T2D is multifactorial, ideally, the selected CV biomarkers should cover all aspects of the known pathophysiology of the disease. This will allow the researcher to distinguish between effects on different aspects of the pathophysiology. To this end, we discuss a host of biomarkers grouped according to their role in the pathogenesis of CVD, namely: (1) cardiac damage biomarkers; (2) inflammatory biomarkers; and (3) novel biomarkers (oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers). Within each category we present the best currently validated biomarkers, with special focus on the population of interest (people with T2D). For each individual biomarker, we discuss the physiological role, validation in the general population and in people with T2D, analytical methodology, modifying factors, effects of glucose-lowering drugs, and interpretation. This approach will provide clinical researchers with the information necessary for planning, conducting and interpreting results from clinical trials. Furthermore, a systematic approach to selection of CV biomarkers in T2D research will improve the quality of future research.

Cardiac Biomarkers in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Results from the TODAY Study

OBJECTIVES

To examine cardiac biomarkers over time in youth-onset type 2 diabetes, and relate serum concentrations to cardiovascular disease risk factors, and left ventricular structure and function.

STUDY DESIGN

TODAY (Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth) was a multicenter randomized trial of 3 treatments including 521 participants with type 2 diabetes, aged 10-17 years, and with 2-6 years of follow-up. Participants were 36% male, obese, and ethnically diverse. Annual serum concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide, troponin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, receptors 1 and 2 were related to blood pressure, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, and left ventricular ejection fraction, diastolic function, relative wall thickness, and mass.

RESULTS

Elevated concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide (≥100 pg/mL), TNF-α (≥5.6 pg/mL) and troponin (≥0.01 ng/mL), were present in 17.8%, 18.3%, and 34.2% of the cohort, respectively, at baseline, and in 15.4%, 17.1%, and 31.1% at the end of the study, with wide variability over time, without persistence in individuals or clear relationship to glycemia or cardiovascular structure/function. TNF receptors concentrations were increased at baseline and not significantly different from end-of-study concentrations. Adverse echocardiographic measures were more likely in the highest TNF receptor tertile (all P < .05): higher left ventricular mass (39.3 ± 9.0 g/m^2.7), left atrial internal dimension (3.7 ± 0.4 cm) and E/Em ratio, a measure of diastolic dysfunction (6.2 ± 1.9). After adjustment for body mass index, these relationships were no longer significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum concentrations of cardiac biomarkers were common in youth with type 2 diabetes, but their clinical significance is unclear and will require further long-term study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.govNCT00081328.

Novel Biomarkers of Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in the General Population

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recognition of subclinical myocardial dysfunction offers clinicians and patients an opportunity for early intervention and prevention of symptomatic cardiovascular disease. We review the data on novel biomarkers in subclinical heart disease in the general population with a focus on pathophysiology, recent observational or trial data, and potential applicability and pitfalls for clinical use.

RECENT FINDINGS

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptide assays are powerful markers of subclinical cardiac disease. Elevated levels of these biomarkers signify subclinical cardiac injury and hemodynamic stress and portend an adverse prognosis. Novel biomarkers of myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, and abnormal contraction are gaining momentum as predictors for incident heart failure, providing new insight into pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiac disease. There has been exciting growth in both traditional and novel biomarkers of subclinical cardiac injury in recent years. Many biomarkers have demonstrated associations with relevant cardiovascular outcomes and may enhance the diagnostic and prognostic power of more conventional biomarkers. However, their use in "prime time" to identify patients with or at risk for subclinical cardiac dysfunction in the general population remains an open question. Strategic investigation into their clinical applicability in the context of clinical trials remains an area of ongoing investigation.

Cardiac Hypertrophy and Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels in an Ovariectomized Rat Model Fed a High-Fat Diet

BACKGROUND Heart failure in women increases around the time of menopause when high-fat diets may result in obesity. The heart produces brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), also known as B-type natriuretic peptide. This aims of this study were to assess cardiac hypertrophy and BNP levels in ovariectomized rats fed a high-fat diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-eight female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated rats fed a control diet (SC) (n=12); ovariectomized rats fed a control diet (OC) (n=12); sham-operated rats fed a high-fat diet (SF) (n=12); and ovariectomized rats fed a high-fat diet (OF) (n=12). Body weight and blood pressure were measured weekly for 24 weeks. Rats were then euthanized, and plasma samples and heart tissue were studied for gene expression, hydroxyproline levels, and histological examination. RESULTS A high-fat diet and ovariectomy (group OF) increased the weight body and the systolic blood pressure after three months and five months, respectively. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was associated with increased expression of ventricular BNP, decreased natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-A and increased levels of hydroxyproline and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. The plasma levels of BNP and estradiol were inversely correlated; expression of estrogen receptor (ER)β and ERα were reduced. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study showed that, in the ovariectomized rats fed a high-fat diet, the BNP-NPR-A receptor complex was involved in cardiac remodeling. BNP may be a marker of cardiac hypertrophy in this animal model.