Usefulness of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting the Presence or Absence of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Patients With Systemic Hypertension

The diagnosis of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, an independent predictor of death and cardiovascular events, is difficult without using echocardiography. This study tested the hypothesis whether C-reactive protein (CRP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) would be useful to exclude echocardiographic LV hypertrophy. Consecutive hypertensive outpatients were asked to participate. Exclusion criteria were overt heart failure, severe renal …