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High-density lipoprotein is superior to B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker of systolic dysfunction in an elderly

Tuomas Kerola1, Tuomo Nieminen, Sirpa Hartikainen

  • 1Department of Medicine, Paijat-Hame Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland. tuomas.kerola@phsotey.fi

Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation
|December 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

In elderly individuals, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, not B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), correlate with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. This finding is crucial for understanding heart health in older populations.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Left ventricular dysfunction is a significant health concern in the elderly.
  • Natriuretic peptides, like BNP, are established indicators of cardiac dysfunction.
  • The role of HDL in systolic dysfunction among older adults requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels with systolic dysfunction in an elderly general population.
  • To determine if BNP or HDL is a more significant predictor of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in individuals aged 75 and older.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 355 participants aged 75 years or older in East Finland.
  • Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between clinical variables, echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), BNP, total cholesterol, and HDL.
  • Ejection fraction was analyzed as a dichotomous variable (EF > or <= 45%).

Main Results:

  • Age, total cholesterol, HDL, and use of ACE inhibitors/ARB were significantly associated with ejection fraction when tested dichotomously.
  • When tested simultaneously, only HDL and age showed a significant association with ejection fraction.
  • BNP levels did not show a significant correlation with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in this elderly cohort.

Conclusions:

  • In the elderly general population (aged 75+), HDL levels, but not BNP levels, are significantly correlated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
  • This correlation holds true even in the subgroup of participants without a history of heart failure.
  • The findings suggest HDL may be a relevant biomarker for systolic dysfunction in older adults.
Abstract

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