Association among tenascin-C and NT-proBNP levels and arrhythmia prevalence in heart failure.

PURPOSE: Tenascin-C (TN-C) and amino-terminal fragment of the B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are the important predictors in prognosis of heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of TN-C and NT-proBNP levels with the frequency and severity of ventricular arrhythmia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 107 HF patients with EF < 45%. According to Holter analysis, the patients were divided into two groups as malignant arrhythmia group (n=29) with Lown Class 4a and 4b arrhythmia and benign arrhythmia group(n=78) with Lown Class 0-3b arrhythmia. The groups were compared with respect to levels of TN-C and NT-proBNP. The relationship of TN-C and NT-proBNP levels with frequency of ventricular premature beat (VPB) was also analyzed. FINDINGS: NT-proBNP (5042.1±1626 versus 1417.1±1711.6 pg/ml) and TN-C (1089±348.6 versus 758.5±423.9 ng/ml) levels were significantly higher in the malignant arrhythmia group than that of the benign arrhythmia group (p.