Table 2.

Plasma concentrations in patients with and without left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Patient group	No of patients (n=134)	Mean (95% CI) brain natriuretic peptide (pg/ml)	Mean (95% CI) N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (ng/ml)
Preserved left ventricular function and no dilatation*†	34	29.7 (7.0 to 45.4)	5.0 (1.2 to 8.8)
Normal 12 lead electrocardiographic results	29	18.3 (4.6 to 32.1)	3.1 (0.8 to 5.5)
Moderate or severe left ventricular dysfunction	34	35.6 (5.1 to 66.1)	4.3 (0.9 to 7.7)
Severe left ventricular dysfunction	8	50.0 (19.9 to 80.1)	5.6 (1.9 to 9.3)
Fractional shortening <25%†	10	48.9 (15.8 to 82.0)	6.6 (2.7 to 10.1)

^*No left ventricular systolic dysfunction and left ventricular end diastolic diameter <55 mm.  

^† Measurements made in only 91 patients.