Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Integration of Brain Tissue Saturation Monitoring in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Heart Failure
Published on: October 1, 2019
Does cardiac morphology predict plasma brain natriuretic Peptide levels in adolescent athletes?
Kurt J Nilsson1, Michael S Womack, Ronald P Pfeiffer
1Intermountain Orthopaedics, Boise, Idaho 83702, USA. mdrezman@yahoo.com
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship of plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) to physiologic parameters and cardiac morphologic characteristics in a population of young athletes. Our hypothesis is that physiologic and cardiac morphologic characteristics do not predict BNP levels in adolescent athletes.
Design:
Observational study.
Setting:
Outpatient hospital.
Participants:
Thirty healthy male adolescent high school football players (16.0 +/- 1.1 years).
Interventions:
Physical exam, electrocardiography, plasma BNP measurement by rapid fluorescent immunoassay, and limited echocardiography.
Main Outcome Measures:
Null hypothesis-physiologic parameters and cardiac morphology do not predict plasma BNP levels in healthy adolescent football players. Significance level set at P < 0.05.
Results:
Plasma BNP for this population was 11.9 +/- 10.2 pg/mL. There was no correlation between BNP and mean arterial pressure (r = -0.09, P = 0.64), body mass index (r = 0.11, P = 0.57), interventricular septal thickness (r = -0.15, P = 0.44), left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (r = 0.00, P = 0.99), relative wall thickness (r = -0.04, P = 0.84), LV mass (r = 0.05, P = 0.79), or LV mass index (r = 0.11, P = 0.55).
Conclusions:
Plasma BNP levels in healthy adolescent athletes have no correlation to body mass index or LV mass, even when corrected for body surface area.
More Related Videos
13:35A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites
Published on: March 1, 2018
05:48Autonomic Function Following Concussion in Youth Athletes: An Exploration of Heart Rate Variability Using 24-hour Recording Methodology
Published on: September 21, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:17Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction while...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...