N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide on admission for early risk stratification of patients with chest pain and no ST-segment elevation.
OBJECTIVE
The study evaluated the prognostic value of single measurement of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) obtained on admission in patients with symptoms suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome and no ST-segment elevation.


BACKGROUND
Patients with symptoms suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome and no ST-segment elevation constitute a large and heterogeneous population. Early risk stratification has been based on clinical background factors, electrocardiography (ECG) and biochemical markers of myocardial damage. The neurohormonal activation has, so far, received less attention.


METHODS
The NT-proBNP was analyzed on admission in 755 patients admitted because of chest pain and no ST-segment elevation. Patients were followed concerning death for 40 months (median).


RESULTS
The median NT-proBNP level was 400 (111 to 1646) ng/l. Compared to the lowest quartile, patients in the second, third and fourth quartiles had a relative risk of subsequent death of 4.2 (1.6 to 11.1), 10.7 (4.2 to 26.8) and 26.6 (10.8 to 65.5), respectively. When NT-proBNP was added to a Cox regression model including clinical background factors, ECG and troponin T, the NT-proBNP levels were independently associated with prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
A single measurement of NT-proBNP on admission will substantially improve the early risk stratification of patients with symptoms suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome and no ST-segment elevation. A combination of clinical background factors, ECG, troponin T and NT-proBNP obtained on admission will provide a highly discerning tool for risk stratification and further clinical decisions.
Jernberg
Tomas
T
Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. tomas.jernberg@medsci.uu.se
Stridsberg
Mats
M
Venge
Per
P
Lindahl
Bertil
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010343:Patient Admission; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain