Relationship between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, B-type natriuretic peptide, and physical function in patients with heart failure

Abstract

Aims: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are associated with prognosis and severity in patients with heart failure (HF); however, their association with physical function is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether hs-cTnT and BNP levels are associated with physical function in patients with HF.

Methods and results: Hs-cTnT, BNP, and physical function (maximal quadriceps isometric strength [QIS], usual gait speed, and 6-min walk distance [6MWD]) were evaluated in 363 consecutive patients with HF (median age, 70 [60-78] years). Patients were divided into four groups according to their median hs-cTnT and BNP levels. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, laboratory levels, and HF severity, higher hs-cTnT and BNP levels were significantly associated with lower physical function (log hs-cTnT, β = -0.162, P = 0.001, for maximal QIS; β = -0.175, P = 0.002, for usual gait speed, and β = -0.129, P = 0.004, for 6MWD; log BNP, β = -0.090, P = 0.092, for maximal QIS, β = 0.038, P = 0.516, for usual gait speed, and β = -0.108, P = 0.023, for 6MWD). In addition, the high hs-cTnT and high BNP group had significantly lower physical function (all P < 0.05) than the low hs-cTnT and low BNP group.

Conclusions: Higher hs-cTnT and BNP levels are both associated with lower physical function in patients with HF, but hs-cTnT levels showed a more consistent association. The combination of hs-cTnT and BNP may be effective for the stratification of physical function in patients with HF.

Keywords: B-type natriuretic peptide; BNP; High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T; Hs-cTnT; Physical function.