- Research
- Open access
- Published:
Relation between E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP levels in elderly patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis
Cardiovascular Ultrasound volume 13, Article number: 29 (2015)
Abstract
Background
Symptoms in the elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and co-morbidities seem to lack in specificity. Therefore, objective parameters for increased left ventricular(LV) filling pressures are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the septal, lateral and average E/e’ ratio and the value of the N-terminal pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).
Methods
Two-hundred-fifty consecutive symptomatic patients (mean age 80 ± 8 years, 52 % men) with severe AS underwent transthoracic echocardiography and NT-proBNP measurement.
Results
In the overall population the septal E/e’ (r = 0,459, r2 = 0,21, P <0,0001), lateral E/e’ (r = 0,322, r2 = 0,10, P <0,0001), and the average E/e’ (r = 0,432, r2 = 0,18, P <0,0001) were all significantly correlated to NT-proBNP. After the exclusion of patients with confounders (more than mild aortic or mitral regurgitation, severe renal dysfunction, obesity or severe COPD) the septal E/e’ (r = 0,584, r2 = 0,34, P <0,0001), lateral E/e’ (r = 0,377, r2 = 0,14, P <0,0001), and the average E/e’ (r = 0,487, r2 = 0,24, P <0,0001) were all significantly better correlated to NT-proBNP. In obese patients no significant correlations were seen. Previous bypass surgery did not alter the correlations.
Conclusions
In elderly patients with severe symptomatic AS there is a significant correlation between the E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP, in particular after exclusion of confounders. The correlation was best for the septal E/e’ ratio and was preserved in patients with a history of bypass surgery.
Introduction
Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease in the Western world and its prevalence is expected to increase due to the aging of the population [1]. Current recommendations warrant the presence of symptoms in order to indicate aortic valve replacement [2]. However, in elderly patients symptoms related to increased left ventricular (LV) filling pressures are less specific, because of the normal aging process and the multiple comorbidities [3]. One objective parameter of increased LV filling pressures is the echocardiographic ratio of the transmitral E-wave velocity and early diastolic velocity of the myocardium, the so called E/e’ ratio [4–7]. Although the value of this ratio may be less reliable in elderly AS patients with important annular calcifications [7], the E/e’ was proven to be a strong predictor of mortality in non-operated elderly patients with AS, especially in conjunction with the N-terminal pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) [8]. This hormone reflects the total burden of the disease on the LV, and has been demonstrated to have a good prognostic value in the setting of severe AS [9–16].
This study sought to assess the relation between the E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP. More specifically, the values of the septal versus lateral myocardial wall derived E/e’ ratio were investigated in detail.
Methods
Patient population
After exclusion of patients with an aortic or mitral valvular prosthesis, mitral stenosis or significant areas of focal LV akinesia (defined as an akinetic region extending to at least 3 segments, involving the basal septum and/or the basal lateral wall) the study included 250 consecutive subjects (mean age 80 ± 8 years, 52 % men) with symptomatic severe AS, defined as an aortic valve area less than 1 cm2 and/or less than 0.6 cm2/m2 and available NT-proBNP level who were treated by transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI). The study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Erasmus MC. All patients gave their informed consent.
Transthoracic echocardiography
Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed using a Philips iE33 system (Philips, Best, The Netherlands) with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position. Echocardiographic studies were performed by an independent experienced echocardiographer, blinded to the patient’s clinical and biochemical status. All echocardiograms were saved as video loops or still frames in a digital database and were reanalyzed by an experienced cardiologist (MS). The LV ejection fraction cut-off value of 50 % was calculated using the biplane modified Simpson rule. The mitral inflow velocity profile (E/A wave ratio, E wave deceleration time) was assessed with pulse-wave Doppler. The early diastolic velocities at the septal and lateral annulus level were assessed with pulse-wave Tissue Doppler from a standard apical 4-chamber view.
Blood sampling
Venous blood samples were drawn from patients with AS within 30 min of the Doppler echocardiography study from an antecubital vein into EDTA acid Vacutainer test tubes (Mediost BV, Doesburg, The Netherlands) after 30 min of supine rest. Samples were placed immediately on ice, and plasma separation was performed at 4 °C. For NT-proBNP determination, an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ProBNP Elecsys, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) was used. For the evaluation of renal function, serum creatinine levels were determined and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the 2009 CKD-EPI creatinine equation [17].
Definitions of possible confounders
Impaired ejection fraction was defined as <50 %. Obesity was defined as a BMI (body mass index) above 30 kg/m [2, 18]. Severe COPD was considered in GOLD class III or IV [19].
Severe impairment of the renal function was defined as GFR less than 30 ml/min/1,73 m2, present for more than 3 months, as estimated by 2009 CKD-EPI creatinine equation [17]. Aortic and mitral regurgitation were assessed semi quantitatively according to current guidelines for the evaluation of native valves [20].
Significant coronary artery disease was defined as >50 % stenosis in at least one coronary artery.
Pulmonary hypertension was considered when the estimated pulmonary pressure derived from Doppler tracings of the tricuspid insufficiency was above 40 mmHg.
Statistical analysis
Continuous variables are presented as means (± SD) if normally distributed, or otherwise by geometric means for natriuretic peptide levels. Because of the very large range of values of the natriuretic peptide and the abnormal distribution of this variable, the log10 of the NT proBNP was used in the analysis. Categorical variables are presented as frequencies and percentages. Differences between similar continuous variables were assessed by the paired-samples t test. Multivariable linear regression was performed in order to identify the possible confounders. Correlations were computed using Pearson’s method, and graphically represented with linear regression lines whenever appropriate. For nonlinear parameters, a best-fit regression line was traced, using multiple nonlinear regression equations and choosing the most statistically significant model that fitted the data. A two-sided p value less than 0.05 was used for declaring statistical significance. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 21.0 software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).
Results
The baseline characteristics of the population are shown in Table 1. All patients were symptomatic. 66 patients (26 %) had angina and only 18(7 %) syncope. 149(60 %) were in class NYHA III and IV, 76 (30 %) in class II and 17(7 %) in NYHA class I. In 8 patients NYHA class could not be determined. Impaired LV function was present in 60 patients (24 %). Other potential confounders were present in 139 patients (56 %):, severe COPD in 17 (7 %), obesity in 52 (21 %), severe renal dysfunction in 27 (11 %) and significant associated mitral or aortic regurgitation or a combination of the two in 61 (24 %). In Table 2 the mean values for the echocardiographic parameters and NT-proBNP data are shown. The E/A ratio was 1.0 ± 0.6, E-wave deceleration time was 240 ± 86 ms, septal E/e’ was 20.2 ± 9.1, lateral E/e’ was 15.7 ± 7.2, and average E/e’ was 17.4 ± 6.9. NT-proBNP was 271 pmol/L (95 % confidence interval 161,226), Log10 NT-proBNP was 2.3 ± 0.6.
Correlations between the diastolic parameters and NT-proBNP
As seen in Fig. 1, in the overall population the septal E/e’ (r = 0,459, r2 = 0,21, P <0,0001), lateral E/e’ (r = 0,322, r2 = 0,10, P <0,0001), and the average E/e’ (r = 0,432, r2 = 0,18, P <0,0001) were all significantly correlated to NT-proBNP. Also, the E/A ratio (r = 0,230, r2,= 0,05, P <0,001), and E-wave decelaration time (r = −0,263, r2 = 0,07, P <0,0001) were significantly correlated to NT-proBNP.
Influence of ejection fraction on the correlations between the E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP
In the 60 patients with impaired EF <50 % the correlation for the septal E/e’ (r = 0,361, r2 = 0,13, P = 0,005) and average E/e’ (r = 0,377, r2 = 0,14, P = 0,01) was weaker. For the lateral E/e’ the correlation was even not significant (r = 0,234, r2 = 0,05, P = 0,13). In the 190 patients with EF ≥50 % the septal E/e’ (r = 0,426, r2 = 0,18, P <0,0001), lateral E/e’ (r = 0,277, r2 = 0,07, P <0,01), and the average E/e’ (r = 0,353, r2 = 0,12, P <0,0001) were all significantly correlated to NT-proBNP.
Influence of other potential confounders on the correlations between the diastolic parameters and NT-proBNP
A multivariable linear regression model was constructed to assess the potential influence of the clinical, echocardiographic and biological factors on the correlation between E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP. On this model, the potential confounders that were identified were: severe COPD (standardized ß = −0,088, p = 0,05), obesity (standardized ß = −0,092; p = 0,05), significant aortic regurgitation (standardized ß = 0,096; p = 0,04), significant mitral regurgitation (standardized ß = 0,148; p = 0,002), altered ejection fraction (standardized ß = 0,314; p = 0,0001) and renal dysfunction (standardized ß = 0,343; p = 0,0001). Diabetes (p = 0,46), coronary artery disease (p = 0,56), pulmonary hypertension (p = 0,14), previous CABG (p = 0,09) did not significantly alter the correlation between E/e’ and NT-proBNP.
After the exclusion of the 139 patients (56 %) with more than mild aortic or mitral regurgitation, severe renal dysfunction, obesity or severe COPD there remained 111 patients (mean age 82 ± 8 years, 51 % men), representing 44 % of the initial group. As seen in Fig. 2, the septal E/e’ (r = 0,584, r2 = 0,34, P <0,0001), lateral E/e’ (r = 0,377, r2 = 0,14, P <0,0001), and the average E/e’ (r = 0,487, r2 = 0,24, P <0,0001) were now all significantly better correlated to NT-proBNP.
In contrast, the level of linear correlation with the mitral E/A ratio did not change (r = 0,255, r2 = 0,07, P = 0,01) and the E-wave deceleration time was not at all correlated to NT-proBNP (r = −0,065, r2 = 0,04, P = 0,5). As seen in Fig. 3, the best-fit correlation lines were described by quadratic equations, with r2 = 0,12, P = 0,002 for the E/A ratio and non-significant results on all models for the E-wave deceleration time.
The influence of the ejection fraction on the correlation between the E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP in the confounder-free group
In the confounder-free group, the relations between E/e’ and NT-proBNP were significant (r = 0,574, r2 = 0,33, P <0,0001 at the septal wall, r = 0,392, r2 = 0,15, P = 0,002 for the lateral wall, and r = 0,484, r2 = 0,23, P <0,0001 for the average value) in the 93 patients with preserved EF. In the 18 patients with impaired EF all correlations were non-significant: r = 0,258, r2 = 0,07, P = 0,3 for the septal wall, r = −0,02, r2 = 0,00, P = 0,95 for the lateral wall, and r = 0,058, r2 = 0,00, P = 0,8 for the average value.
Correlations between the diastolic parameters and NT-proBNP in the obese patients
In the specific subgroup of 52 obese patients the septal E/e’ (r = 0,260, r2 = 0,07, P = 0,07), lateral E/e’ (r = 0,150, r2 = 0,02, P = 0,37), and the average E/e’ (r = 0,237, r2 = 0,06, P = 0,15) were all not significantly correlated to NT-proBNP. After exclusion of 10 patients with other confounders, the septal E/e’ (r = 0,260, r2 = 0,07, P = 0,07), lateral E/e’ (r = 0,256, r2 = 0,07, P = 0,17), and the average E/e’ (r = 0,293, r2 = 0,09, P = 0,11) remained not significantly correlated to NT-proBNP in the obese sugroup. The value of the NT proBNP in obese patients was lower, with a geometrical mean of 94 pmol/l, 95 % CI (81,142), compared to 217 pmol/L in the non-obese patients (P =0.027). In the other subgroups (COPD, renal dysfunction) a specific analysis was not possible because of the limited number of patients.
Influence of previous coronary bypass surgery on septal versus lateral E/e’ assessment
In the 53 patients (68 % men) with a history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery the septal E/e’ (r = 0,583, r2 = 0,34, P <0,0001), lateral E/e’ (r = 0,441, r2 = 0,20, P <0,01), and the average E/e’ (r = 0,571, r2 = 0,33, P <0,0001) were also all significantly correlated to NT-proBNP. After exclusion of 24 patients with the previously mentioned confounders these numbers were for septal E/e’ (r = 0,577, r2 = 0,33, P <0,01), for lateral E/e’ (r = 0,507, r2 = 0,26, P <0,05), and for the average E/e’ (r = 0,565, r2 = 0,32, P <0,01).
Difference between the correlation levels of the E/e’ ratio at the medial, lateral and average septal points
The level of correlation was significantly better for the septal point when compared to the lateral (p < 0,0001). There was also a difference favoring the septal point against the average e’, but this difference did not reach a significant p value (p = 0,051).
Discussion
In this study in elderly patients with severe symptomatic AS the main findings were: 1) there is a significant correlation between the E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP, in particular in patients without obesity, severe renal dysfunction, severe COPD, or significant left-sided valvular regurgitation, 2) the correlation was best for the septal E/e’ ratio, and 3) this latter correlation was preserved in patients with a history of CABG.
In elderly patients with severe AS, clinical symptoms are difficult to ascertain and less specific because of the normal aging process and the multiple comorbidities usually present in the AS patients referred for TAVI. In order to help the decision for aortic valve intervention, an objective parameter of increased LV filling pressure seems important in their evaluation. The E/é ratio is the main stay of echocardiography to indirectly assess LV filling pressure [21, 22]. The current guidelines recommend the use of the average E/é ratio derived from the septal and lateral wall [22, 23]. However, evidence for the use of the average E/e’ ratio is lacking and the specific accuracy of the septal or lateral E/e’ is still debated. Each of the two E/e’ ratios has its specific benefits. Translational movement of the heart may less affect septal wall velocity and certainly Doppler beam angle errors are less likely to occur when septal wall velocities are measured. Also, it was shown that the septal E/e’ ratio best correlated to LV filling pressures in subjects with preserved systolic LV function [24] and in particular in the elderly [25]. On the other hand, Nagueh et al. claimed that “the lateral E/e’ ratio was easier to quantify” [26, 27]. Obviously, a septal or lateral localized myocardial wall infarction will negatively influence the respective measurements. Therefore, patients with such abnormalities were excluded from our study.
Our study population has some important unique features. The patients were elderly with extensive aortic and mitral annular calcifications and a significant number of these patients had coronary artery disease and a history of previous CABG. Despite these characteristics a good correlation between the E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP was found. The best results were seen for the septal E/é ratio with a correlation coefficient of 0.459. Exclusion for confounders (obesity, severe renal dysfunction, severe COPD, or significant left-sided valvular regurgitation) resulted in even better correlations. The best improvement was seen for the septal E/é ratio with a correlation coefficient of 0.584.
The septal E/é ratio could be superior due to the aforementioned reasons but also because of the extensive posterior mitral annular calcification that may have resulted in more problems in assessing the lateral annulus, which is a part of the posterior annular ring [28].
We had expected that a previous CABG with its influence on septal function [29, 30] would affect the accuracy of the septal E/é ratio. Surprisingly, a history of CABG did not affect the correlation of the septal E/é ratio with NT-proBNP.
Comparison to other studies and clinical implications
The level of correlation found between E/E’ and NT-proBNP in our study in elderly patients with AS is quite similar to correlations published in the literature in general cardiac patients [31–33]. In AS little data are available [16, 34]. There is only a very small study on 29 middle-aged (65 ± 12 years) severe AS patients [16]. In that paper weak correlations were described between E/e’ and NT-proBNP with only significant results seen for the septal E/e’. Because of the evidence in the literature [16, 25], as well as the results of the present study and the specific practical benefits, the use of septal E/e’ ratio rather than the lateral or average E/e’ should be encouraged, until other sound data are available from prospective large-scale trials such as the EURO-FILLING study [35].
In the global population included here, the correlation between the surrogate markers of LV filling pressures remains moderate. Only about 44 % of the symptomatic elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis displayed strong correlations. From a practical clinical standpoint, care should be taken in interpreting the results of the usual diastolic function parameters in the presence of the confounders defined in this study: more than mild aortic/mitral regurgitation, severe renal impairement, severe COPD, obesity and left ventricular dysfunction.
Apart from the negative impact of impaired EF on the correlation between E/e’ and NT-proBNP, the influence of obesity was striking. Even for the septal E/e’ ratio no significant correlation was seen, probably because of the well-known paradoxically lower NT-proBNP levels than in normal weight patients for the same filling pressures [36]. In such patients we can only speculate that the E/e’ ration better reflects LV filling pressures.
These findings could have an impact on the costs of medical care, since adding a NT proBNP assay to the routine evaluation is relatively expensive [37] and not covered by medical insurances, while E/e’ ratio can be measured repetitively during each echocardiographic examination, without any supplemental risk or cost for the patient.
Study limitations
As mentioned above, the population included in this study was carefully selected by a “heart team” according to present guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease [20]. That means first of all that they had to have clinical symptoms in association with a severe aortic stenosis in order to be considered for TAVI. An asymptomatic control group with severe aortic stenosis could have better demonstrated the role of echocardiographic data in the decision making. Such a group is difficult to constitute in an elderly population with several comorbidities.
The cross-sectional nature of the study could be a limitation in itself. However, data collection in this population was very rigorous, according to a very strict and prospectively designed protocol.
Although it demonstrates a correlation between echocardiographic and biological markers of elevated left ventricular filling pressures, it is possible that the cutoff value of 15 for the septal E/e’ is too sensitive (practically all the patients having an E/E’ ratio above this value, with a mean of 20 ± 9), or that all the selected patients had chronically elevated LVEDP, as reflected by the mean value of NT proBNP = 217pmol/l. Unfortunately, a better cutoff point could not be determined from our data, because the LVEDP was measured in all patients during the initial phase of the intervention, before TAVI, but already on general anesthesia, which invariably leads to dramatic changes in pressures.
Conclusion
In elderly patients with severe symptomatic AS there is a significant correlation between the E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP, in particular after exclusion of confounders. The correlation was best for the septal E/e’ ratio and was preserved in patients with a history of CABG.
References
Iung B, Baron G, Butchart EG, Delahaye F, Gohlke-Ba¨rwolf C, Levang OW, et al. A prospective survey of patients with valvular heart disease in Europe: the Euro Heart Survey on Valvular Heart Disease. Eur Heart J. 2003;24:1231–43.
Nishimura RA, Otto CM, Bonow RO, Carabello BA, Erwin JP, Guyton RA, et al. 2014 AHA/ACC guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: a report of the American college of cardiology/American heart association task force on practice guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63:e57–185. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2014.02.536.
Monin JL, Lancellotti P, Monchi M, Lim P, Weiss E, Piérard L, et al. Risk score for predicting outcome in patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis. Circulation. 2009;120(1):69–75. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.808857.
Dal-Bianco JP, Khandheria BK, Mookadam F, Gentile F, Sengupta PP. Management of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;52:1279–92. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2008.07.020.
D’Agate DJ, Smith RH, Lazar JM. Doppler echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular filling pressures in elderly patients with moderate/severe aortic stenosis. Am J Geriatr Cardiol. 2002;11:173–6.
Gjertsson P, Caidahl K, Farasati M, Odén A, Bech-Hanssen O. Preoperative moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction: a novel Doppler echocardiographic long-term prognostic factor in patients with severe aortic stenosis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2005;129:890–6.
McMurray JJ, Adamopoulos S, Anker SD, Auricchio A, Böhm M, Dickstein K, et al. ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines, ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure 2012: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure 2012 of the European Society of Cardiology. Developed in collaboration with the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC. Eur J Heart Fail. 2012;14:803–69. doi: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfs105.
Biner S, Rafique AM, Goykhman P, Morrissey RP, Naghi J, Siegel RJ. Prognostic value of E/E’ ratio in patients with unoperated severe aortic stenosis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2010;3:899–907. doi:10.1016/j.jcmg.2010.07.005.
Casaclang-Verzosa G, Nkomo VT, Sarano ME, Malouf JF, Miller Jr FA, Oh JK. E/Ea is the major determinant of pulmonary artery pressure in moderate to severe aortic stenosis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2008;21:824–7. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2007.12.002.
Nessmith MG, Fukuta H, Brucks S, Little WC. Usefulness of an elevated B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting survival in patients with aortic stenosis treated without surgery. Am J Cardiol. 2005;96:1445–8.
Pedrazzini GB, Masson S, Latini R, Klersy C, Rossi MG, Pasotti E, et al. Comparison of brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels versus logistic EuroSCORE in predicting in-hospital and late postoperative mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for symptomatic aortic stenosis. Am J Cardiol. 2008;102:749–54. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2008.04.055.
Ben-Dor I, Minha S, Barbash IM, Aly O, Dvir D, Deksissa T, et al. Correlation of brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing operative valve replacement or percutaneous transcatheter intervention with clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic factors and prognosis. Am J Cardiol. 2013;112:574–9. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.04.023.
Pibarot P, Dumesnil JG. Improving assessment of aortic stenosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;60:169–80. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2011.11.078.
Bergler-Klein J, Klaar U, Heger M, Rosenhek R, Mundigler G, Gabriel H, et al. Natriuretic peptides predict symptom-free survival and postoperative outcome in severe aortic stenosis. Circulation. 2004;109:2302–8.
Bruch C, Stypmann J, Grude M, Gradaus R, Breithardt G, Wichter T. Tissue Doppler imaging in patients with moderate to severe aortic valve stenosis: clinical usefulness and diagnostic accuracy. Am Heart J. 2004;148:696–702.
Galema TW, Yap SC, Geleijnse ML, van Thiel RJ, Lindemans J, ten Cate FJ, et al. Early detection of left ventricular dysfunction by Doppler tissue imaging and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2008;21:257–61.
Adeera Levin, Paul E, Stevens. Summary of KDIGO 2012 CKD Guideline: behind the scenes, need for guidance, and a framework for moving forward. Kidney Int. 2013;49–61; doi:10.1038/ki.2013.444
WHO. Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic. Report of a WHO Consultation. WHO Technical Report Series 894. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.
GOLD, Global Strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, http://www.goldcopd.org/
Joint Task Force on the Management of Valvular Heart Disease of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC); European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), Vahanian A, Alfieri O, Andreotti F, Antunes MJ, Barón-Esquivias G, et al. Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease (version 2012). Eur Heart J. 2012;33(19):2451–96. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehs109.
Ommen SR, Nishimura RA, Appleton CP, Miller FA, Oh JK, Redfield MM, et al. Clinical utility of Doppler echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging in the estimation of left ventricular filling pressures: A comparative simultaneous Doppler-catheterization study. Circulation. 2000;102:1788–94.
Nagueh SF, Appleton CP, Gillebert TC, Marino PN, Oh JK, Smiseth OA, et al. Recommendations for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function by echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2009;22:107–33. doi: 1016/j.echo.2008.11.023.
Paulus WJ, Tschope C, Sanderson JE, Rusconi C, Flachskampf FA, Rademakers FE, et al. How to diagnose diastolic heart failure: a consensus statement on the diagnosis of heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction by the Heart Failure and Echocardiography Associations of the European Society of Cardiology. Eur Heart J. 2007;28:2539–50.
Firstenberg MS, Levine BD, Garcia MJ, Greenberg NL, Cardon L, Morehead AJ, et al. Relationship of echocardiographic indices to pulmonary capillary wedge pressures in healthy volunteers. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000;36:1664–9.
Srivastava PM, Burrell LM, Calafiore P. Lateral vs medial mitral annular tissue Doppler in the echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function and filling pressures: which should we use? Eur J Echocardiogr. 2005;6:97–106.
Nagueh SF, Middleton KJ, Kopelen HA, Zoghbi WA, Quiñones MA. Doppler tissue imaging: a noninvasive technique for evaluation of left ventricular relaxation and estimation of filling pressures. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997;30:1527–33.
Nagueh SF, Mikati I, Kopelen HA, Middleton KJ, Quiñones MA, Zoghbi WA. Doppler estimation of left ventricular filling pressure in sinus tachycardia. A new application of tissue doppler imaging. Circulation. 1998;98:1644–50.
Tsang W, Meineri M, Hahn RT, Veronesi F, Shah AP, Osten M, et al. A three-dimensional echocardiographic study on aortic–mitral coupling in transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2013; doi: 10.1093/ehjci/jet058
Codreanu I, Pegg TJ, Selvanayagam JB, Robson MD, Rider OJ, Dasanu CA, et al. Details of left ventricular remodeling and the mechanism of paradoxical ventricular septal motion after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. J Invasive Cardiol. 2011;23:276–82.
Joshi SB, Salah AK, Mendoza DD, Goldstein SA, Fuisz AR, Lindsay J. Mechanism of paradoxical ventricular septal motion after coronary artery bypass grafting. Am J Cardiol. 2009;103:212–5. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2008.08.067.
Watanabe T, Iwai-Takano M, Oikawa M, Yamaki T, Yaoita H, Maruyama Y. Optimal noninvasive assessment of diastolic heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation: comparison of tissue doppler echocardiography, left atrium size, and brain natriuretic peptide. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2008;21:689–96.
Mak GS, DeMaria A, Clopton P, Maisel AS. Utility of B-natriuretic peptide in the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function: comparison with tissue Doppler imaging recordings. Am Heart J. 2004;148:895–902.
Eindhoven JA, van den Bosch AE, Ruys TP, Opić P, Cuypers JA, McGhie JS, et al. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and its relationship with cardiac function in adults with congenital heart disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;62:1203–12. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2013.07.019.
Cemri M, Arslan U, Kocaman SA, Cengel A. Relationship between N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide and extensive echocardiographic parameters in mild to moderate aortic stenosis. J Postgrad Med. 2008;54:12–6.
Galderisi M, Lancellotti P, Donal E, Cardim N, Edvardsen T, Habib G, et al. European multicentre validation study of the accuracy of E/e’ ratio in estimating invasive left ventricular filling pressure: EURO-FILLING study. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014;15:810–6. doi:10.1093/ehjci/jeu022.
Beleigoli A, Diniz M, Nunes M, Barbosa M, Fernandes S, Abreu M, et al. Reduced brain natriuretic peptide levels in class III obesity: the role of metabolic and cardiovascular factors. Obes Facts. 2011;4:427–32.
Richard Troughton G, Michael F, James L, Januzzi J. Natriuretic peptide-guided heart failure management. Eur Heart J. 2014;35:16–24. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/eht463.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ contributions
MS conceived and designed the research, acquired the data, performed statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript. NvM, BvD, PdJ and TG acquired the data and made critical revision of the manuscript for key scientific content. MM made critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. MG conceived the research, handled supervision, drafted the manuscript and made critical revision of its contents.
Rights and permissions
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
About this article
Cite this article
Strachinaru, M., van Dalen, B.M., Van Mieghem, N. et al. Relation between E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP levels in elderly patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 13, 29 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12947-015-0021-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12947-015-0021-8