N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels for dynamic risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes.
Circulation 2004; 110(20):3206-12Circ

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Elevated baseline levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the N-terminal fragments of its prohormone, N-terminal-pro-BNP (NT-proBNP), have been associated with adverse long-term outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes, whereas the prognostic implications of serial NT-proBNP measurements have not been investigated to date.

METHODS AND RESULTS

NT-proBNP, troponin T, and C-reactive protein were measured at baseline and at 48 and 72 hours in 1791 patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. Death and myocardial infarction were recorded during 30 days of follow-up. After adjustment for independent predictors of cardiac risk, baseline NT-proBNP levels >250 ng/L were associated with higher event rates (adjusted OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.3 to 5.7; P<0.001). In troponin T-negative patients, NT-proBNP identified a subgroup of high-risk patients (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 2.6 to 13.3; P<0.001). The risk in those patients (7.2%) did not significantly differ from that in troponin T-positive patients (9.8%; P=0.25). Importantly, clinical stabilization without refractory ischemia was associated with a rapid (as soon as 48 hours after onset of symptoms) and significant (48 hours; -24%; 72 hours, -49%; both P<0.001) decline in NT-proBNP levels. In patients with high NT-proBNP baseline levels, lack of a rapid decline in NT-proBNP levels (< or =250 ng/L) was linked to an adverse short-term prognosis (OR, 33.7; 95% CI, 8.2 to 138.8; P<0.001). In patients with low NT-proBNP baseline levels, a rise in NT-proBNP levels over 72 hours to >250 ng/L was also linked to an adverse 30-day prognosis (OR, 24.0; 95% CI, 8.4 to 68.5; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Neurohumoral activation as evidenced by NT-proBNP appears as a unifying feature that is independent of other biochemical markers (myocardial necrosis, inflammation) and is a powerful and independent determinant of the short-term cardiac risk in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Whether serial measurements of NT-proBNP in patients with ACS may be used to more rapidly identify patients suitable for early discharge or more intensive therapy deserves future prospective studies.

Links

  • Publisher Full Text
  • Aggregator Full Text

    Authors+Show Affiliations

    Heeschen C
    J.W. Goethe University, Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany. c.heeschen@em.uni-frankfurt.de
    Hamm CW
    No affiliation info available
    Mitrovic V
    No affiliation info available
    Lantelme NH
    No affiliation info available
    White HD
    No affiliation info available
    Platelet Receptor Inhibition in Ischemic Syndrome Management (PRISM) Investigators
    No affiliation info available

    MeSH

    Acute DiseaseAnticoagulantsAspirinBiomarkersC-Reactive ProteinDrug Therapy, CombinationFollow-Up StudiesHeparinHumansIncidenceMyocardial InfarctionMyocardial IschemiaNatriuretic Peptide, BrainNerve Tissue ProteinsPeptide FragmentsPredictive Value of TestsRiskRisk AssessmentSyndromeTirofibanTroponin TTyrosine

    Pub Type(s)

    Clinical Trial
    Comparative Study
    Journal Article
    Multicenter Study
    Randomized Controlled Trial
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    15533869