Journal of cardiac failure
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The role of brain natriuretic peptides in the detection of mild forms of isolated diastolic dysfunction is still uncertain. We therefore investigated the plasma levels of the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with heart failure symptoms during exercise, despite preserved systolic cardiac function. ⋯ NT-proBNP levels are increased in patients with increased filling pressures during exercise and useful for the detection of diastolic dysfunction in patients with exertional dyspnea.