Gender differences in variables related to B-natriuretic peptide, left ventricular ejection fraction and mass, and peak oxygen consumption, in patients with heart failure

• Published in: International journal of cardiology Vol. 149; no. 3; pp. 364 - 371
• Main Authors: Tasevska-Dinevska, G, Kennedy, L.M, Cline-Iwarson, A, Cline, C, Erhardt, L, Willenheimer, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 16-06-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; B-natriuretic peptide; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular system; Clinical Medicine; Comorbidity; Female; Heart; Heart failure; Heart Failure - epidemiology; Heart Failure - metabolism; Heart Failure - physiopathology; Heart failure, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, cardiac enlargement; Humans; Hypertension - epidemiology; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular - epidemiology; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular - metabolism; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular - physiopathology; Investigative techniques of hemodynamics; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Kardiologi; Klinisk medicin; Left ventricular ejection fraction and mass; Lung Diseases - epidemiology; Male; Medical and Health Sciences; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Men; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - epidemiology; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain - physiology; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Peak oxygen consumption; Risk Factors; Sex Characteristics; Sex Distribution; Stroke Volume - physiology; Ventricular Function, Left - physiology; Women; Heart failure; Women; Left ventricular ejection fraction and mass; B-natriuretic peptide; Peak oxygen consumption; Men; Peptides; Sex; Male; Cardiovascular disease; Heart disease; Female; Tumor; Ventricular ejection; Peak; Cardiology; Woman; Human; Oxygen consumption; Patient; Left ventricle; Mass; Hemodynamics; Comparative study; Ejection fraction
• ISSN: 0167-5273; 1874-1754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2010.02.018

Abstract Aim and methods We assessed gender differences in variables related to B-natriuretic peptide (BNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), peak oxygen consumption (peak-VO2), and LV mass (LVM), among patients recently hospitalized for suspected heart failure (HF). Results Of 930 consecutive patients, 409 accepted follow-up after discharge, 221 of these had definite HF (90 women, mean age 74.5 [9.8] years). In 141 HF patients (61 women) with BNP data, women had lower BNP than men (43.9 [38.1] versus 76.3 [88.9] pmol/L, P = 0.0193). LVEF (all HF patients) was higher in women (49.8 [13.4] versus 42.4 [13.9]%, P = 0.0004). Peak-VO2 (147 HF patients, 48 women) was lower in women (13.9 [4.3] versus 16.3 [4.2] mL/kg/min, P = 0.0093). LVM index (200 HF patients, 78 women) was lower in women (130.4 [46.5] versus 171.7 [57.6] g/m2 , P < 0.0001). Among HF patients, variables independently related to BNP were body mass index (BMI) and peak-VO2 exclusively among men, mitral regurgitation, respiratory disease and angiotensin receptor blocker treatment only among women. Variables independently related to LVEF were resting heart rate, acetylic salicylic acid use and BNP exclusively among men. No variable was exclusive for women. Variables independently related to peak-VO2 were right ventricular size, BNP, resting and peak heart rate solely among men, BMI and stable angina pectoris exclusively among women. Variables independently related to LVM were left atrial diameter only among men, BMI exclusively among women. Conclusion Among elderly HF patients, there were some important gender differences in BNP, LVEF, peak-VO2 and LVM, and in variables independently related to these factors.