Echocardiographic findings and NT-proBNP level in type-2 diabetic patients with and without ischemic heart disease.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in echocardiographic findings or in the level of a biochemical marker (i.e. N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]) between controls and type-2 diabetic patients with or without ischemic heart disease. Echocardiography was used to assess left ventricular function and morphology. In addition, the plasma NT-proBNP concentration was measured. The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction was greater in diabetics without ischemic heart disease than in controls (88% vs. 74%, respectively; P< .001) and the NT-proBNP concentration was higher (350.6+/-197.8 vs. 281.7+/-190.4 fmol/mL; P< .001). Diabetics with ischemic heart disease had a higher NT-proBNP concentration than those without (720.4+/-278.1 vs. 350.6+/-197.8 fmol/mL, respectively; P< .001). An NT-proBNP concentration >490 fmol/mL had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 75% for detecting ischemic heart disease in diabetics.