To investigate the changes of N terminal plasma b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and its application value in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Eighty-six cases of CHF were selected and divided into three groups according to different ages, including A group (12 cases, 45-54 years old) and group B (31 cases, 55-64 years old), group C (43 cases, at the age of 65 or higher). The plasma NT-proBNP levels were determined in the patients before and after treatment and followed up for 12 months, and the observation of cardiovascular events was recorded.

Heart failure symptoms were significantly improved after conventional treatment, the NT-proBNP level was significantly lowered (t=443.002, P<0.05): t value of plasma NT-proBNP levels in different age group after treatment was -177.487, -251.517 and -269.607 pg/ml in groups A, B and C, respectively, (P< 0.05). A total of 24 patients with cardiovascular events accounted for 27.91% (24/86) including 13 men and 11 women; their plasma level of NT-proBNP pg/ml (5536.25±1581.36) was significantly higher than the group of patients without cardiovascular events (3239.47±1501.58) pg/ml (t=244.77, P<0.05). Plasma NT-proBNP levels were significantly decreased in patients without cardiovascular events as compared with patients with cardiovascular events (t=88.22, P<0.05).

Plasma NT-proBNP is one of indicators of cardiac function disorder and it can be used in the diagnosis of heart failure and evaluation of heart function; at the same time it can also be used to judge prognosis and guide therapy in some degree.