NT-proBNP and Cardiac Troponin I, but Not Cardiac Troponin T, Are Associated with 7-Year Changes in Cardiac Structure and Function in Older Adults: The ARIC Study

BACKGROUND: Higher circulating concentrations of NT-proBNP (N-Terminal pro-B-Type natriuretic peptide) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and I (hs-cTnI) are associated with left ventricular remodeling and with incident heart failure. The associations of these cardiac biomarkers with changes in cardiac structure and function over time are uncharacterized. METHODS: Among 2006 participants in the ARIC prospective cohort study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) who were free of overt cardiovascular disease and underwent echocardiography at study visits 5 (2011-2013) and 7 (2018-2019), we assessed the associations of NT-proBNP, hs-cTnT, and hs-cTnI concentrations at visit 5 with changes in left ventricular structure and function between visits 5 and 7 (≈7-year change) using multivariable linear regression with the biomarkers modeled as restricted cubic splines. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and renal function at visit 5; blood pressure and heart rate at both visits; and the baseline value of the echocardiographic parameter of interest. RESULTS: Mean±SD age was 74±4 years at visit 5; 61% were women; and 23% were Black adults. Median (25th-75th percentile) concentrations at visit 5 of NT-proBNP, hs-cTnT, and hs-cTnI were 87 ng/L (50-157 ng/L), 9 ng/L (6-12 ng/L), and 2.6 ng/L (1.9-3.9 ng/L). In adjusted models, elevated baseline concentrations of NT-proBNP and hs-cTnI were significantly associated with 7-year decline in left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction, longitudinal and circumferential strain) and worsening diastolic indices. In contrast, elevated baseline concentrations of hs-cTnT were not significantly associated with 7-year changes in cardiac structure, systolic function, or diastolic function (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher concentrations of NT-proBNP and hs-cTnI, but not hs-cTnT, were associated with greater declines in left ventricular function over ≈7 years in late life independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.