Objectives: Natriuretic peptides are well-known indicators of left ventricular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to examine whether the levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and HDL are associated with systolic dysfunction in an elderly general population.
Design: The 355 study subjects aged 75 years or more were studied in the City of Kuopio, in East Finland. The association between clinical variables as well as echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction and BNP, total cholesterol and HDL were investigated using logistic and linear regression analysis.
Results: When tested as a dichotomous variable (EF > or <or= 45%), the only variables to show significant association with ejection fraction were age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.65 for a change of one standard deviation in age; p = 0.002), total cholesterol (OR = 1.43; p = 0.025), HDL (OR = 1.51; p = 0.013) and use of Angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitor or Angiotensinogen receptor II-blocker (OR = 0.23; p = 0.046). Simultaneously tested only HDL (OR = 1.52; p = 0.013) and age (OR = 0.63; p = 0.002) had a significant association with ejection fraction.
Conclusions: In the elderly general population aged 75 or older and in the subgroup of participants without previous heart failure HDL, but not BNP, shows significant correlation with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.