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We did not find any significant difference in the prevalence of EIF among the 4 different ethnic groups. The association between congenital anomalies and other sonographic markers should be studied further.

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BackgroundThe circulating peptide, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) was examined for prediction of cardiac function and prognosis and compared with previously reported markers [cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)] in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods and ResultsWe examined plasma levels of pro-BNP, cTnI, and CPK in 84 patients presenting with STEMI. Patients presenting with KILLIP's class 3 and 4, renal failure, and a previous history of low ejection fraction (EF) were excluded. EF was determined by echocardiography 6 months after STEMI. Of the 84 patients in this study, 60 (71%) were male and 24 (29%) female. Their ages ranged from 43 to 88 yr, with a mean of 63.6 yr (SD 13.0 yr). The correlation between pro-BNP and CPK was excellent (r=.88, p < .001), while the following correlations were on the borderline of fair to moderate: pro- BNP and cTnI (r = .52, p < .001) and cTnI and CPK (r = .50, p < .001). Left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months was moderately negatively correlated with peak CPK (r = 2.64, p < .001) and pro-BNP (r = 2.66, p < .001); its negative correlation with cTnI (r = 2.47, p < .001) was only fair.ConclusionsWe conclude that increased concentrations of pro-BNP at initial presentation of patients with STEMI correlate well with levels of CPK and the may reflect long-term left ventricular dysfunction in these patients. These data support the value of combining markers of hemodynamic stress with traditional approaches to risk assessment in acute myocardial infarction.

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