NT-pro-BNP in patients with left ventricular hypertrabeculation/non-compaction

Aims Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/non-compaction (LVHT) is a cardiac abnormality of unknown pathogenesis and frequently associated with neuromuscular disorders. The N-terminal fragment of the pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) is a prognostic marker in heart failure whose relevance in LVHT patients is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the role of NT-pro-BNP levels as prognostic markers in LVHT. Methods and results Data of LVHT patients were collected in a database from one echocardiographic laboratory since 1996. The hospital information system was screened for measurements of NT-pro-BNP levels, and their association with clinical and echocardiographic baseline parameters was retrospectively assessed. During follow-up, the endpoints were death and heart transplantation. In 113 patients (median age 57 years, 24% women), data about NT-pro-BNP measurements were found, ranging from 8 to 121 152 (median 2029) ng/L. High NT-pro-BNP levels were associated with heart failure, valvular abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, angina pectoris, number of LVHT-affected segments, end-diastolic diameter, and systolic dysfunction. During a follow-up of 73 (+/- 64; 0-237) months, 35% of the patients reached an endpoint. High NT-pro-BNP levels were associated with the occurrence of an endpoint (P < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, predictors for endpoints were increased age (P = 0.0025), atrial fibrillation (P = 0.0023), natural logarithm of NT-pro-BNP levels (P = 0.0073), diabetes mellitus (P = 0.014), and thromboembolic events before diagnosis (P = 0.0347). Conclusions Also in LVHT patients, high NT-pro-BNP levels are indicators for death and heart transplantation.