肿瘤坏死因子α和B型钠尿肽在老年心力衰竭患者中的表达及临床意义

目的：评价老年充血性心力衰竭（CHF）患者不同心功能水平的血浆B型钠尿肽（BNP）和肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）水平变化及其与心功能的关系。方法：测定60例CHF患者和30名健康体检者血浆BNP和TNF-α浓度，观察其与超声心动图测定左室射血分数（LVEF）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDd）以及心功能分级的关系。结果：CHF患者血浆BNP和TNF-α水平显著高于对照组（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），升高程度与心功能相关而与CHF的基础病因无关。BNP（r=-0．89）和TNF-α（r=-0．94）均与LVEF呈线性负相关（均P〈0．05），BNP（r=0．7939）和TNF-α（r=0．7513）均与LVEDd呈线性正相关（均P〈0．05）。结论：血浆BNP和TNF-α水平可作为老年CHF严重程度的判断指标。     

心脏再同步化治疗对心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠肽水平及心功能的影响

目的：观察心脏再同步化治疗（CRT）对心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠肽（BNP）水平及心功能的影响。方法：选择因顽固性心力衰竭行CRT术患者17人,分别于术前及术后6、12月测定血浆BNP水平,并行超声心动图检查,评估心脏功能。结果：CRT术后6、12个月的血浆BNP水平较术前明显降低（P〈0．05）,术后6、12个月患者的左室射血分数（LVEF）明显升高（P〈0．05）,左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）减小（P〈0．05）。Pearson相关分析示,BNP与LVEF呈负相关（r=-0．653,P〈0．05）,BNP与LVEDD呈正相关（r=0．608,P〈0．05）。结论：对于心力衰竭患者,CRT能够明显降低患者的血浆BNP水平,改善其心功能;血浆BNP水平能够反应患者术后心功能情况。     

老年男性心力衰竭患者血红蛋白水平变化与脑钠肽及心功能的关系

目的：探讨老年慢性心力衰竭（CHF）患者血红蛋白（Hb）与脑钠肽（BNP）及心功能的关系。方法：测定人选的99例老年男性CHF患者Hb和血清BNP水平,以超声心动图测量左室射血分数（LVEF）及左室舒张末期内径（LVEDd）,评价心功能;按Hb水平分为CHF贫血组和非贫血组,同时选择13例老年健康人作为健康对照组。结果：与正常对照组比较,CHF患者血Hb浓度明显降低,BNP浓度明显升高（P均〈0．01）,随着心功能恶化,Hb水平和LVEF则逐渐降低,而BNP水平和LVEDd逐渐升高（P〈0．05～0．01）。与非贫血组比较,贫血组血清BNP水平[（294．73±488．300）pg／ml比（841．57±1063．310）pg／ml]和LVEDd[（51．58±4．500）mm比（56．33±7．451）mm]明显升高（P％0．01）,而LVEF明显降低[（61．21±6．747）％比（52．30±11．721）％,P〈0．01]。直线相关分析显示,Hb与BNP水平呈负相关（r=-0．443,P〈0．01）;多因素逐步回归分析显示,BNP水平为CHF患者发生贫血的独立影响因素。结论：老年慢性心力衰竭患者血红蛋白水平的降低和脑钠肽水平的升高参与了心功能不全的病理生理过程,而其高贫血发生率可能使心功能不全程度加重。     

B型钠尿肽对心肌梗死患者心功能评估的研究

目的观察急性心肌梗死（AMI）患者血B型钠尿肽（BNP）水平的变化特点,探讨BNP对评估AMI患者心力衰竭及心肌缺血严重程度的临床意义。方法入选住院AMI患者93例及正常对照组50例进行BNP的床旁快速检测,并行超声心动图测定左心室射血分数（LVEF）和左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDd）,按照心肌梗死Killip心功能分级分为Ⅰ—Ⅳ级,按照梗死部位分为广泛前壁AMI组、前壁和／或前间壁AMI组、下壁和／或后壁AMI组,根据ST段有无抬高分为ST段抬高型心肌梗死（STEMI）和非ST段抬高型心肌梗死（NSTEMI）,计算各组内的BNP值并进行统计学分析。结果随着AMI患者Killip心功能分级的递增,BNP水平不断增高（除KillipⅠ级与对照组BNP浓度比较P〉0．05,其余各组之间BNP差异有统计学意义P〈0．05）,LVEF随着Killip分级递增而减少,与BNP呈中度负相关（r=-0．79,P〈0．05）而LVEDd逐渐增大与BNP呈高度正相关（r=0．96,P〈0．05）。广泛前壁AMI组BNP浓度〉前壁和／或前间壁AMI组〉下壁和／或后壁AMI组。STEMI组和非NSTEMI组BNP水平差异无统计学意义。结论床旁快速测定BNP浓度可作为判定AMI患者心功能状况及心肌缺血严重程度的重要生化指标之一。     

心力衰竭合并房颤患者血浆脑钠肽水平的变化及相关分析

目的探讨血浆脑钠肽（BNP）水平在心力衰竭（心衰）合并房颤患者中的变化及其临床意义。方法将100例心衰患者按是否存在房颤分为房颤组、窦性心律组。分别检测两组血浆BNP、NYHA分级以及左房、左室舒张末内径。结果①房颤组血浆BNP浓度高于窦性心律组,在相同的NYHA心功能分级亚组中,房颤组BNP水平在心功能Ⅱ级与Ⅲ组中显著高于窦性心律组。②心衰合并房颤患者血浆BNP水平与患者年龄（r=0．794,P〈0．01）、房颤持续时间（r=0．698,P〈0．01）、左心房大小（r=0．739,P〈0．01）、左室大小（r=0．839,P〈0．01）呈正相关。结论心衰合并房颤患者BNP水平明显高,且与年龄、房颤持续时间、左房、左室内径有关。     

急性呼吸困难患者血浆脑利钠肽检测的临床价值

目的探讨血浆脑利钠肽（BNP）检测对心源性呼吸困难和肺源性呼吸困难的诊断和鉴别价值。方法对住院的急性呼吸困难患者，用免疫发光定量检测血浆BNP含量，随后进行超声心动图等常规检查，比较心源性呼吸困难和肺源性呼吸困难患者血浆BNP水平的差异。结果心源性呼吸困难组、肺源性呼吸困难组血浆BNP分别为（604．78±137．70）ng/L和（43．56±32．73）ng／L，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。心源性呼吸困难组血浆BNP与左室射血分数呈负相关（r=-0．53，P〈0．01），与左室舒张末期内径呈正相关（r=0．56，P〈0．01）。结论血浆BNP对心源性呼吸困难和肺源性呼吸困难的诊断和鉴别诊断有重要意义。     

B型脑钠肽在慢性阻塞性肺病中的诊断价值

目的 探讨慢性阻塞性肺病肺动脉高压、低氧血症与血浆B型脑钠肽（BNP）水平变化关系。方法 56例慢性阻塞性肺病患者分成肺动脉高压组和正常肺动脉压组,测定动脉血气分析和血浆BNP值,应用心脏超声测定肺动脉压力,收缩末期右室内径大小、右室与左室内径比值。结果 肺动脉高压组血浆BNP水平显著高于正常肺动脉压组（271．8±153．7ng／L vs 47．1±29．3ng／L;P〈0．01=;收缩末期右室内径、右室内径／左室内径明显大于正常肺动脉压组（P〈0．05=;肺动脉高压组肺动脉压力与血浆BNP值呈正相关（r=0．45）;而正常肺动脉压组血氧分压与血浆BNP值呈负相关（r=-0．32）。结论 血浆BNP是慢性阻塞性肺病肺动脉高压、右室扩张（右室功能不全）的敏感指标。     

慢性心力衰竭治疗中血浆脑钠肽的变化及其意义

目的：探讨慢性心力衰竭患者治疗中血浆脑钠肽水平的变化及其临床意义。方法：选择慢性心力衰竭患者63例，联合使用β受体阻滞剂及血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂治疗6月，于治疗前后分别测定血浆脑钠肽水平，并使用超声心动图仪检测左心室收缩功能及左心室结构。30名健康者为对照。结果：心力衰竭组血浆脑钠肽水平显著高于对照组（P〈0．001），并与心力衰竭严重程度有关；左心室射血分数显著低于对照组（P〈0．01）。心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠肽水平与心脏结构功能指标的直线相关分析表明，血浆脑钠肽水平与左心室射血分数呈负相关（r=-0．38，P〈0．05），心力衰竭患者有效治疗后，血浆脑钠肽水平显著下降（P〈0．05），左心室射血分数提高（P〈0．05）。结论：血浆脑钠肽水平可作为评价慢性心力衰竭治疗效果的客观指标。     

血浆B型脑钠肽测定在心力衰竭诊断中的应用

目的：探讨血浆B型脑钠肽（BNP）水平在心力衰竭诊断中的临床意义。方法：用免疫荧光（双抗体夹心）法测定186例心力衰竭患者和42例非心力衰竭患者血浆BNP水平。结果：心力衰竭组与非心力衰竭组比较，血浆BNP水平差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；血浆BNP水平随心力衰竭程度的加重（NYHA心功能分级升高）而显著上升，各组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；同组患者中女性血浆BNP水平高于男性（P〈0．05）。结论：血浆BNP测定对反映心力衰竭患者的心功能状态可能有一定的参考意义。     

慢性心力衰竭患者血浆B型利钠肽的测定及治疗的影响

目的：探讨血浆B型利钠肽（BNP）与慢性心力衰竭（CHF）的关系。方法：对48例CHF患者和10名正常人，以固相免疫分析法（IRMA）测定血浆BNP，其中33例心功能稳定于NYHAⅡ～Ⅲ级的CHF患者分为2组．随访3个月。A组（n=12）：应用地高辛、利尿剂和ACEI治疗；B组（n=21）：在上述治疗的基础上．加用卡维地洛。比较两组血浆BNP水平．及心脏彩超检查的心脏结构和功能变化。结果：（1）CHF患者血浆BNP水平显著升高，严重心衰患者更明显（P均〈0．05）；（2）两组治疗后血浆BNP水平均较治疗前显著降低（P〈0．05）；（3）治疗后心功能改善者血浆BNP水平下降较未改善者更明显（P〈0．05）；（4）B组心功能改善较A组更明显（P〈0．05）。结论：CHF患者血浆BNP水平升高．其水平随心衰加重而升高．提示BNP可作为评价心衰有价值的指标     

血浆脑钠肽结合超声心动图对心脏病患者心功能的评估

目的:探讨血浆脑钠肽(BNP)值结合超声心动图(UCG)相关参数对心脏病患者心功能的评估价值。方法:测定147例住院心脏病患者血浆BNP值,同时测定UCG各相关参数。分析患者静息心率、心功能分级、左室射血分数(LVEF)、二尖瓣口舒张早期与舒张晚期血流峰值速度比值(E/A值)、左室收缩末径(LVEDs)、左室舒张末径(LVEDd)、左房内径(LAD)、左室短轴缩短率(LVFS)等因素与BNP的相关性。结果:血浆BNP水平随NYHA心功能分级程度的升高而显著增加(r=0.645,P<0.001)。BNP与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.451,P<0.001)。BNP与LVEDs、LVEDd的Pearson系数分别为0.473、0.401(P<0.01)。结论:BNP水平与NYHA心功能分级高度相关,可预测LVEF的下降,能较好地反映心脏病患者左室功能状态;BNP结合UCG相关参数,是一种无创、简便、敏感的评价心功能的方法。     

急性心肌梗死患者血B型利钠肽水平与心功能的相关性和诊断心力衰竭的价值

目的 分析急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者B型利钠肽(BNP)水平与心功能指标的相关性,选择AMI后心功能的最佳预测指标.方法 顺序入选住院AMI患者230例及正常对照111例,测定BNP.按照心功能Killip分级、左室射血分数(LVEF)和左室舒张末径(LVEDd)进行分组,因BNP不符合正态分布,经自然对数(ln)处理后lnBNP符合正态分布,对比各组间lnBNP的差异;分析lnBNP与心功能指标的相关性;绘制受试者工作特性(ROC)曲线,确定诊断失代偿性左心功能衰竭及心原性休克的最佳指标和阈值.结果 AMI患者lnBNP随着Killip分级(Ⅰ～Ⅲ级)升高和LVEF的降低而梯次显著升高(均P<0.05),在LVEDd55 mill组显著高于≤55 mnl组(均P<0.01);InBNP、LVEDd、LVEF与Killip分级呈线性相关(均P<0.05),其中lnBNP的相关性最好(r=0.53,P<0.05),lnBNP与LVEDd(r=0.17,P<0.05)、LVEF也显著相关(r=-0.41,P<0.01).经多元回归分析显示,仅lnBNP是Killip分级的独立相关因素(P<0.01).ROC曲线分析后显示,lnBNP诊断失代偿性左心衰竭和心原性休克的曲线下面积(AUC)最大(P<0.01),有诊断价值.以BNP=140 ng/L为阈值时,诊断失代偿性左心衰竭的敏感性、阴性预测值和准确度分别为84.9%、75.3%和70.0%;当以BNP=400 ng/L为阈值时,诊断心原性休克的敏感性、阳性预测值和准确度分别为82.8%、72.4%和67.4%.结论 AMI患者BNP水平与Killip心功能分级、LVEDd呈正相关,与LVEF呈负相关,是诊断心力衰竭和排除诊断心原性休克的优良指标.     

慢性心力衰竭时脑钠肽和C反应蛋白水平及卡维地洛的疗效

目的 观察慢性心力衰竭患者血浆中脑钠肽(brain natriuretic peptide,BNP)和C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)的水平及卡维地洛的疗效.方法 慢性心力衰竭患者100例,随机分为常规组和卡维地洛组各50例,常规组用血管紧张素转化酶抑制药、利尿药和地高辛;卡维地洛组在常规治疗药物的基础上加用卡维地洛;正常对照组为30名健康体检者.随访12周,血浆BNP和CRP水平分别用免疫荧光法和散射比浊法测定.用彩色超声心动图测定左心室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVFF)、左心室舒张末期内径(left ventricular end-diastolic dimension,LVEDd).结果 慢性心力衰竭患者血浆BNP、CRP浓度均高于正常对照组(P＜0.01),而且随心功能分级增高而增高(P＜0.05),12周后,卡维地洛组与常规组BNP、CRP浓度均下降,但卡维地洛组血浆BNP、CRP浓度下降更明显(P＜0.05);而且卡维地洛组LVFF、LVEDd均比常规组明显改善(P＜0.05).结论 BNP和CRP水平能较好的反映细胞因子的激活程度及左心室功能状态,卡维地洛可以降低慢性心力衰竭患者血浆中BNP和CRP水平,改善心脏重构及心功能.     

慢性心力衰竭患者血浆脑利钠肽浓度变化的临床研究

目的:评估慢性心力衰竭患者脑利钠肽(BNP)浓度变化的临床价值。方法:68例慢性心力衰竭患者依NYHA心功能分级分别采用免疫荧光检测技术及超声心功图于入院即刻、治疗2周分别进行BNP水平检测,测定左心室舒张期内径(LVEDd),左室射血分数(LVEF)。结果:血浆BNP浓度与心衰的严重程度呈正相关(r=0.8542,P<0.05),随心功能好转,BNP下降,BNP与LVEDd呈正相关(r=0.701,P<0.01),与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.725,P<0.05)。结论:血浆BNP浓度反映心衰严重程度,可作为判断心功能不全,预测其预后的指标。     

Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in systolic heart failure: importance of left ventricular diastolic function and right ventricular systolic function

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to characterize the importance of echocardiographic indexes, including newer indexes of diastolic function, as determinants of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with systolic heart failure (SHF). BACKGROUND: Plasma BNP levels have utility for diagnosing and managing heart failure. However, there is significant heterogeneity in BNP levels that is not explained by left ventricular size and function alone. METHODS: In 106 patients with symptomatic SHF (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <0.35), we measured plasma BNP levels and performed comprehensive echocardiography with assessment of left ventricular diastolic function, including color M-mode (CMM) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and of right ventricular (RV) function. RESULTS: Median plasma BNP levels were elevated and increased with greater severity of diastolic dysfunction. We found significant correlations (p < 0.001 for all) between BNP and indexes of myocardial relaxation (early diastolic velocity: r = -0.26), compliance (deceleration time: r = -0.55), and filling pressure (early transmitral to early annular diastolic velocity ratio: r = 0.51; early transmitral flow to the velocity of early left ventricular flow propagation ratio: r = 0.41). In multivariate analysis, overall diastolic stage, LVEF, RV systolic dysfunction, mitral regurgitation (MR) severity, age and creatinine clearance were independent predictors of BNP levels (model fit r = 0.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma BNP levels are significantly related to newer diastolic indexes measured from TDI and CMM in SHF. Heterogeneity of BNP levels in patients with SHF reflects the severity of diastolic abnormality, RV dysfunction, and MR in addition to LVEF, age, and renal function. These findings may explain the powerful relationship of BNP to symptoms and prognosis in SHF.     

Clinical value of B-type natriuretic peptide for the assessment of left ventricular filling pressures in patients with systolic heart failure and inconclusive tissue Doppler indexes

Invasive hemodynamic monitoring with Swan-Ganz catheterization to guide treatment decisions in heart failure may be hazardous and may lack prognostic value. We assessed the clinical utility of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in estimating left ventricular filling pressures in patients with inconclusive tissue Doppler indexes. In this study, 50 patients with systolic heart failure and an early transmitral velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity ratio (E/Ea) between 8 and 15 were studied. Among them, 25 had been admitted for acutely decompensated heart failure (group A) and the remainder were clinically stable outpatients (group B). All patients underwent simultaneous invasive pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) determination, BNP measurement, and echocardiography. In group A, BNP correlated with PCWP (r = 0.803, P < 0.001), deceleration time (DT, r = -0.602, p = 0.001), and end-systolic wall stress (SWS, r = 0.565, P = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, BNP was the only parameter independently associated with PCWP (P = 0.023). In group B, no correlation was found between BNP and PCWP or SWS, while DT correlated significantly with both PCWP (r = -0.817, P < 0.001) and BNP (r = -0.8, P < 0.001). We conclude that BNP may be a useful noninvasive tool for the assessment of left ventricular filling pressures in patients with acutely decompensated heart failure and inconclusive tissue Doppler indexes.     

保留收缩功能性心力衰竭与B型脑钠肽及尿酸的相关性研究

目的结合超声心动图参数探讨B型脑钠肽（brain natriuretic peptide,BNP）联合尿酸（uric acid,UA）对保留收缩功能性心力衰竭诊断的临床意义。方法顺序入选130例有器质性心脏病、纽约心脏协会（New York heart association,NYHA）心功能分级I～IV级的住院患者,其超声心动图提示有不同程度的舒张功能障碍且左心室射血分数（left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF）≥45%,检测血浆B型脑钠肽、尿酸浓度,按照NYHA分级及BNP浓度进行分组,比较患者的临床指标及超声心动图参数;分别以NYHA分级及BNP为因变量进行多元线性回归分析;对100ng/L400ng/L组较BNP〈100ng/L组的年龄、血浆UA浓度、左心房内径、左心室舒张末期内径、E/E′及左心室质量明显升高,LVEF明显降低,房性心律失常发生率明显升高,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。经多元线性回归分析仅NYHA分级及E/E′是影响血浆BNP浓度的独立相关因素（r=0.33,P〈0.01;r=0.17,P〈0.05）。100ng/L     

脑钠肽结合超声多普勒评价舒张性心力衰竭患者的心功能

目的 采用血浆脑钠肽(BNP)浓度测定结合超声多普勒心动图的参数来评价舒张性心力衰竭患者的心功能,为临床提供判断舒张性心力衰竭及其严重程度的敏感和特异的客观指标.方法 选择舒张性心力衰竭患者85例(心力衰竭组),按纽约心脏病学会(NYHA)心功能分级,Ⅱ级31例、Ⅲ级36例、Ⅳ级18例,以及健康对照组30例.测定血浆BNP浓度,超声多普勒结合组织多普勒显像(TDI)测定左室结构、左室舒张功能及左室舒张末压.结果 舒张性心力衰竭患者血浆BNP浓度明显高于对照组(P<0.001),且随心力衰竭程度加重而逐渐升高(P<0.001).舒张性心力衰竭组左房内径(LA)、室间隔厚度(IVS)、左室后壁厚度(LVPW)、舒张早期流速峰值/舒张早期速度峰值(E/Em)较对照组升高,E/舒张晚期流速峰值(A)降低(P<0.01),血浆BNP浓度与E/A比值呈负相关(r=-0.634,P<0.01),与E/Em比值呈正相关(r=0.728,P<0.01).结论 血浆BNP浓度测定结合超声多普勒心动图的参数判断舒张性心力衰竭患者的心功能简便准确.     

比索洛尔对高血压病并发慢性心力衰竭患者脑钠尿肽前体的影响

目的 探讨比索洛尔对高血压病并发慢性心力衰竭（CHF）患者脑钠尿肽（BNP）前体（Pro-BNP)的影响。方法 选取我院收治的高血压病并发CHF的患者102例,随机分为试药组和对照组各51例。对照组按照高血压病并发CHF的常规治疗方案进行干预,试药组在对照组治疗方案的基础上,加用比索洛尔口服治疗。治疗3个月后对比两组患者的心功能改善情况,同时对比两组患者治疗前后的心率、血压、左室射血分数(LVEF)以及pro-BNP的变化情况。结果 试药组的显效率为49%,总有效率为96%,均显著高于对照组（分别为29%,76%,均P<0.05）;两组患者治疗后的心率、收缩压和舒张压均显著低于治疗前,而LVEF显著高于治疗前（均P<0.05）;试药组治疗后的LVEF为（44±4）%,显著高于对照组〔（35±4）%,P<0.05〕;试药组治疗后的Pro-BNP水平为（733±58） ng/L,对照组治疗后的Pro-BNP水平为（802±63） ng/L,两组患者治疗后的Pro-BNP水显著低于治疗前（均P<0.05）;试药组治疗后的Pro-BNP水平显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论 比索洛尔可有效降低高血压病并发CHF患者的Pro-BNP水平,提高临床疗效。     

Correlations between clinical presentation, brain natriuretic peptide, big endothelin-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cardiac troponins in heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: The term "biochemical marker" of heart failure is used to define a biochemical substance whose plasma levels correlate with the clinical and hemodynamic status and predict the prognosis of patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate, in a single population of patients with heart failure, the correlations between the plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), big endothelin-1 (BET-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and T (cTnT), the clinical presentation, and the left ventricular function. METHODS: The study population included a series of 120 patients (97 males, 81%, mean age 56+/-12 years) in NYHA functional class I (49%), II (20%), III (26%), IV (5%) who were admitted to our institution or followed up as outpatients. All patients underwent cardiologic evaluation, standard electrocardiography, two-dimensional echocardiography, and venous blood sampling on the same day. RESULTS: At univariate analysis the following correlations were found to be significant: all the laboratory parameters correlated with the NYHA class (BNP r = 0.63, BET-1 r = 0.56, cTnI r = 0.25, cTnT r = 0.24, TNF-alpha r = 0.23); BNP (r = -0.39) and BET-1 (r = -0.27) with left ventricular ejection fraction; BNP (r = 0.37) and BET-1 (r = 0.21) with the degree of mitral insufficiency; BNP (r = -0.39), BET-1 (r = 0.25) and TNF-alpha (r = -0.19) with systolic blood pressure; cTnT (r = 0.34), cTnI (r = 0.33), BNP (r = 0.22) and BET-1 (r = 0.19) with heart rate; BNP with age (r = 0.33) and body mass index (r = -0.28). The plasma levels of BNP, BET-1, cTnT and cTnI were significantly higher in case of systemic or pulmonary congestion. At multiple regression analysis the following correlations were still present: BNP with the NYHA functional class (p < 0.005) and with pulmonary venous congestion (p < 0.05); BET-1 with the presence of pulmonary venous congestion (p < 0.005); TNF-alpha with the NYHA class (p < 0.05) and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001); cardiac troponins with heart rate (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The plasma concentrations of BNP and BET-1 showed the best and comparable correlations with parameters describing the clinical status of patients with heart failure, in particular with the presence of pulmonary venous congestion. The value of the plasma concentration of TNF-alpha and those of cardiac troponins were found to be limited in patients with relatively stable heart failure.