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Updated: May 15, 2026

Ultrasonic Assessment of Myocardial Microstructure
Published on: January 14, 2014
Associations of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin and N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide With
Mingdan Wang1, Xihan Li1, Lingyue Qiu1
1Center For Clinical and Epidemiologic Research, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, National Clinical Research Center For Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing, China.
Insights
Elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) indicate subclinical cardiac changes in hypertensive patients. These biomarkers are linked to left ventricular remodeling, impaired function, and arterial enlargement.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomarkers
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are established markers for cardiac dysfunction.
- Limited data exist on their association with multidimensional echocardiographic features in hypertensive individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP levels and echocardiographic parameters in patients with hypertension.
- To assess the combined impact of these biomarkers on cardiac structure and function.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter prospective cohort study included 1803 hypertensive adults who underwent echocardiography.
- Serum hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP levels were measured and analyzed in association with echocardiographic features using multivariable-adjusted models.
Main Results:
- Higher hs-cTnT levels correlated with increased left ventricular and atrial remodeling, and higher flow velocity.
- Elevated NT-proBNP was associated with structural changes, impaired diastolic function, and arterial enlargement.
- The highest tertiles for both biomarkers showed the most pronounced cardiac abnormalities, including increased interventricular septum thickness and worse diastolic function.
Conclusions:
- Elevations in hs-cTnT and/or NT-proBNP are associated with subclinical cardiac structural and functional abnormalities in hypertensive patients.
- These biomarkers may help identify individuals at risk for cardiac complications within the hypertensive population.
Abstract:
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and/or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are associated with left ventricular structure and function in general populations, however, evidence regarding their relationship with multidimensional echocardiographic features in patients with hypertension remains limited. Hypertensive adults (aged ≥18 years) from a multicenter prospective cohort who underwent echocardiography from 2017 to 2020 were included in this study. Associations of serum hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP, alone and combined, with echocardiographic features were evaluated in multivariable-adjusted models. Among a total of 1803 hypertensive participants (mean age, 51.0 ± 11.9 years; 29.7% women), the median levels of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were 5.13 ng/L (IQR 3.68, 7.30) and 32.80 ng/L (IQR 17.85, 59.25), respectively. Participants in the highest hs-cTnT tertile showed greater left ventricular and atrial remodeling and higher flow velocity than those in the lowest tertile, including mean increases of 0.59 mm in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (95% CI 0.02-1.16), 2.78 g/m2 in left ventricular mass index (95% CI 0.32-5.24), 3.61 cm/s in aortic valve velocity (95% CI 0.54-6.67), and 0.61 mm in left atrial diameter (95% CI 0.09-1.13). Elevated NT-proBNP levels were also associated with these structural changes, along with impaired diastolic function and arterial enlargement. Participants with the highest tertiles for both biomarkers had more pronounced cardiac structural and functional abnormalities, including increased interventricular septum thickness and worse diastolic function. Elevations in hs-cTnT and/or NT-proBNP are associated with subclinical changes in cardiac structure and function in hypertensive patients.
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