Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the change of homocysteine (Hcy) and Nterminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP) in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).MethodsThe study enrolled 122 patients with CHF who were divided  into  three  groups  according to NYHA function， NYHA Ⅱ，NYHA Ⅲ，NYHA Ⅳ. At the same time，30 healthy outpatients were selected as control group. The serum Hcy， NT proBNP and other biochemical indexes such as including blood glucose，lipids，renal function were detected. The left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were examined using ultrasound cardiogram during hospitalization. The relationship between Hcy and heart function classification was observed. Furthermore， the correlation between Hcy and NT proBNP was also observed.ResultsIn 122 patients with CHF，hyperhomocysteinemia accounting for 59.84%(73 cases)，was significantly higher than thatof control group (P<0.05) . With higher cardiac function NYHA classification，Hcy，NT proBNP and LVEDD significantly increased  (P<0.05). In CHF group，Hcy positively correlated with NT proBNP(r=0.445，P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indcated that  hyperhomocysteinemia  is an independent risk for CHF.ConclusionHcy  and NT proBNP were positively correlated to cardiac function classification. Meanwhile， there is correlation between Hcy and NT proBNP. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk for CHF.The combined application of Hcy and NT proBNP could be effective indexes for evaluating cardiac function.

Key words: heart failure, cysteine, natriuretic peptide, brain