Correlation of natriuretic peptides and inferior vena cava size in patients with congestive heart failure

Figures & data

Figure 1 Examination of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in the subcostal long-axis view 1 cm from the right atria-inferior vena cava junction.

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the study cohort (n = 77)

Demographics
Age (years) (±SD)	61 ± 17
Male (%)	44%
Caucasian (%)	70%
Medical history
Diabetes (%)	30%
Arterial hypertension (%)	57%
Hyperlipidemia (%)	37%
Coronary artery disease (%)	30%
Prior heart failure (%)	33%
Baseline clinical and laboratory data
Inpatient (%)	88%
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) (±SD)	127 (±23)
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) (±SD)	75 (±13)
Heart rate (bpm) (±SD)	84 (±17)
Creatinine clearance (mL/min/m^2) ±SD	51 ± 20
Mean brain natriuretic peptide (95% CI) pg/mL	274 (197–382)
Mean N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (95% CI) pg/mL	1994 (1331–2989)
Serum sodium mEq/L (±SD)	138 (±5)
Serum potassium mEq/L (±SD)	4.6 (±5)
Hemoglobin mg/dL (±SD)	11.3 (±2)

Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; SD, standard deviation; bpm, beats per minute.

Table 2 Echocardiographic characteristics of study patients (n = 77)

End-diastolic dimension (mm) ±SD	49 ± 11
End-systolic dimension (mm) ±SD	34 ± 13
Ejection fraction (%) ±SD	50 ± 20
Left atrial size (mm)	43 ± 9
Inferior vena cava size (cm) ±SD	1.8 ± 0.5
Right ventricular systolic pressure (mmHg) ±SD	41 ± 16
Right ventricular function (%)
Normal	74%
Mildly reduced	9%
Moderately reduced	13%
Severely reduced	1%
Unable to assess	3%
Respiratory collapse of the inferior vena cava
<50%	35%
≥50%	34%
Absent	31%

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Figure 2 Scatter plot of log-transformed brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and inferior vena cava size (IVC).

Notes: Correlation coefficient r = 0.24, confidence interval (CI): 0.01–0.44; P = 0.03.

Figure 3 Scatter plot of log-transformed N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) and inferior vena cava size (IVC).

Notes: Correlation coefficient r = 0.27, confidence interval (CI): 0.05–0.47; P = 0.01.

Figure 4 Scatter plot of log-transformed values of (A) N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) and (B) brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (Y axis) according to respirophasic changes in the inferior vena cava (IVC) size (X axis) (P = 0.46 and 0.36 for NT-ProBNP and BNP, respectively).

Figure 5 Scatter plot showing the relationship between inferior vena cava (IVC) size, cm, and the degree of IVC inspiratory collapse (analysis of variance P < 0.001).