ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: The prevalence of patients with concomitant heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is high. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of NT-pro-BNP levels in the evaluation of diabetic patients with heart failure. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative cohort study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 174 patients admitted to our Cardiology Department, previously diagnosed with HF, were enrolled. Among these patients, 47.7% had DM. HF was defined according to the 2016 ESC criteria. The NT-pro BNP levels above 126 pg/mL indicate a high probability of heart failure. RESULTS: In diabetic patients there were significant correlations between NT-pro-BNP values and the following parameters: hemoglobin (rho=-0.28, p=0.01), hematocrit (rho= -0.27, p=0.014), total cholesterol (rho= -0.21, p=0.048), triglycerides (rho= -0.283, p=0.01), ejection fraction (rho= -0.465, p<0.0001), end-diastolic volume (rho= 0.253, p= 0.026), end-systolic volume (rho= 0.29 p=0.01). Only the following 3 parameters: ejection fraction (p= 0.0009), hemoglobin (p= 0.0092) and triglycerides (p= 0.0380) were independent predictive factors for elevated NT-pro-BNP values. CONCLUSION: In diabetic heart failure patients, the value of NT-pro-BNP holds a pivotal role in the evaluation of their overall status, facilitating the establishment of correct management and follow-up.
