Comparison of brain natriuretic peptide and left ventricular diastolic function determined by tissue Doppler in patients with diabetes mellitus, patients with hypertension without diabetes, and in healthy subjects.

In this study, it was found that increased plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with diabetes may be related to left ventricular (LV) diastolic relaxation, independent of LV mass and atherosclerosis (using common carotid intima-media thickness as a surrogate index). A "package of care" of glycemic control and cardiovascular risk management was not associated with reduction in BNP levels.