Objective To compare N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels between patients with left or right ventricular dysfunction and to study the clinical significance of NT-proBNP in left and right ventricular dysfunction. Methods A total of 96 subjects were divided into four groups: the left ventricular systolic dysfunction group (n=31),the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction group (n=31),the right ventricular dysfunction group (n=14),and the normal control group (n=20). Plasma NT-proBNP concentration was measured by ANALYTICS E170 Immunity Analyzer and compared between left or right ventricular dysfunction patients. Results In the left ventricular systolic dysfunction group,the left ventricular diastolic dysfuncton group and the right ventricular dysfunction group,the concentrations of NT-proBNP were much higher than that in control group (98±84) ng/L,P=0.000. The concentration of NT-proBNP was the highest in the left ventricular systolic dysfunction group (2743±2277) ng/L,followed by the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction group (447±416) ng/L and the right ventricular dysfunction group (387±333) ng/L sequentially. Conclusion The concentration of NT-proBNP is much higher in patients with left ventricular dysfunction than in patients with right ventricular dysfunction,and higher in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction than in patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.