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Brain natriuretic peptide and the athlete's heart: a pilot study
E D Pagourelias1, G Giannoglou, E Kouidi
1Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Background:
The role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in differentiating the athlete's heart from maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy is unclear.
Methods:
To address this issue, an integrated M mode, two-dimensional B mode and Doppler echocardiographical study were performed and plasma BNP levels were measured in 25 strength athletes, 25 patients with established hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 25 healthy volunteers.
Results:
Among athletes, BNP levels correlated negatively with the total training time (r = -0.79, p = 0.002) and positively with ejection fraction (r = 0.58, p = 0.049) and fractional shortening (r = 0.57, p = 0.049). A BNP cut-off value of 11.8 pg/ml had 88% specificity and 74% negative predictive value for the exclusion of HCM.
Conclusions:
Brain natriuretic peptide might be useful as a preparticipation screening test in athletes.
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