The association between serum N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide level and left ventricular hypertrophy in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) levels and left ventricle mass index(LVMI) in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) patients. Methods: A total of 81 MHD patients were recruited, and the serum NT-proBNP levels were measured，echocardiography was performed and LVMI was calculated. The serum NT-proBNP levels in 55 MHD patients with left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) according to LVMI were observed dynamically before and after treament of candesartan and levocarnitine for 4 months, the correlation between serum NT-proBNP level and LVMI in these patients was analyzed. results: Both of the serum NT-proBNP level and LVMI in MHD patients were significantly higher than that in control group (P ＜ 0. 01) . The serum NT-proBNP level in MHD patients with LVH was significantly higher than that in the MHD patients without LVH(P ＜ 0. 01) , and was positively correlated with LVMI(P ＜ 0. 01) . After treatment of candesartan and levocarnitine for 4 months, both of the serum NT-proBNP level and LVMI were significantly decreased than before (P ＜ 0. 01) . Conclusions: The serum NTproBNP level was significantly increased in MHD patients，especially in patients with LVH，and was positive correlation with LVMI, serum NT-proBNP level may be used for assessment LVH in MHD patients.