Relationship between slightly elevated NT-proBNP and alterations in diastolic function detected by echocardiography in patients without structural heart disease.

An elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level is associated with the presence of heart failure (HF). However, the significance of slight elevations is unclear in patients without structural cardiopathy. The aim of our study was to measure plasma levels of NT-proBNP in patients without structural cardiopathy, as determined by echocardiography, and establish a relationship with parameters defining diastolic function (DF) by echocardiography.