Hindersson, PeterHuisman, Hugo WillemKruger, RuanOlsen, MichaelSchutte, Aletta ElisabethSchutte, Rudolph2014-02-032014-02-032012Kruger, R. et al. 2012. N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiovascular function in Africans and Caucasians: the SAfrEIC study. Heart lung and circulation, 21(2):88-95. [http://www.heartlungcirc.org/]1443-95061444-2892http://hdl.handle.net/10394/10047http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2011.10.009Background This study compared NT-proBNP levels and the association with cardiovascular markers between Africans and Caucasians from South Africa. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 201 Africans and 255 Caucasians from the North West province, South Africa. Serum NT-proBNP concentrations, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity and arterial compliance were measured. Results NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in Africans than Caucasians, also after adjusting for gender, body mass index (BMI) and pulse wave velocity (P = 0.008). This significant difference became borderline significant after adjusting for systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = 0.060), and non-significant after adjusting for arterial compliance (P = 0.35). In single regression, a significant positive correlation of NT-proBNP with SBP (r = 0.26; P < 0.001) and pulse pressure (PP) (r = 0.28; P < 0.001) were shown for Africans only. After multiple adjustments, the associations of NT-proBNP with SBP and PP remained significant in Africans (SBP: β = 0.187, P < 0.01; PP: β = 0.234, P < 0.001), with no significant associations in Caucasians. Conclusions NT-proBNP levels were higher in Africans than Caucasians, independently of BMI and gender. This difference was partly driven by higher SBP and lower arterial compliance in Africans. NT-proBNP was persistently associated with SBP and PP in Africans, but not in Caucasians. These associations may suggest early vascular changes contributing to cardiac alterations in Africans.enNT-proBNPblood pressureethnicitycardiovascular functioncomplianceArticle